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| CS convenes meet on SOPs as trucks halt at LoC points | | |
Early Times report
Jammu, May 5: As no trade goods could be exchanged today through the Line of Control on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route, the Chief Secretary SS Kapur has called a high level meeting Wednesday to take a review of the Standing Operational Procedures.
The meeting would be attended by Joint director (K) minister for Home affairs, Principal Secretary Industries and commerce, DG police, DG CID, Joint Director IB (JK), Commissioner Customs and central excise (JK), Director Industries, General Manager DIC Baramulla, SSP security Baramulla and others.
There was again no trade along the Line of Control (LoC) in north Kashmir’s Uri town on Tuesday even if there were no protests by the traders on the either side. Sources said the authorities on either side barred trucks on the LoC after they reached Kaman post beyond the stipulated time frame, which was in violation of Standing Operational Procedures, SOP’s.
According to reports authorities in Pakistan occupied Kashmir as well in the Valley did not allow the vehicle to cross as they reached the Kaman post at around 11:30 hours.
As per the guidelines laid down by the customs department, the vehicles from PoK had to cross Kaman at 11 am and leave here before 4 pm and vice versa.
“The custom officials on both sides did not allow vehicles as they reached Kaman post against the SOPs,” Custodian, cross LoC trade, Mohammad Ashraf Wani the report said.
The trade would be allowed tomorrow in case the vehicles reach by stipulated time, the sources added.
Reports said that about 110 truck loads carrying varied items including the high demand garlic of china, were waiting near the Kaman post on the other side of LoC while the custom authorities here allowed ten out of 38 vehicle to cross sides.
After the beginning of trade between two parts of Kashmir, the commerce was picking up momentum and the quantum of trade was beginning to increase. However, on last occasion, there was no trade through the LoC crossing.
While the traders from this side stopped the business to protest against the alleged nexus between government officials and the non-local traders, the Pak traders could not send consignment due to violation of SOPs.
The trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad is absolutely duty-free trade between the two parts of divided Kashmir and since its opening on October 21 last year, it continues on barter system in absence of facilities including communication, banking and the currency.
Chief secretary SS Kapoor has convened a meeting of high officials to discuss the SOPs tomorrow.
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