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| MEMBERS OF DIVIDED FAMILIES FEAR SUSPENSION OF BUS SERVICES | | | Jammu, July 15, : The calling-off of secretary level talks between India and Pakistan, scheduled to be held on July 21, have raised fears in the minds of the members of the divided families in Jammu and Kashmir over suspension of bus services on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and on Poonch-Rawalakot roads.
On their part the authorities may have made it clear that the peace process was not being called off neither there has been any announcement in this regard yet panic has gripped members of the divided families looking forward to meet their separated loved ones after a long time.
"We want peace should prevail between both the neighbouring countries allowing members of the divided families to meet each other" one of the members of the divided families in Jammu said.
People especially in the border belt of Poonch,Rajouri,Uri and Kupwara have been gripped by panic as they fear that besides suspending the bus services the serial blasts in Srinagar and Mumbai could cast a thick shadow on the ceasefire on the LOC which has been in force since November 26,2003.
Official sources said, on Monday atleast 51 passengers are expected to get on board the peace bus leaving for Rawalakot and out of this 21 people are from the Indian side."Then on Thursday, the bus will travel on Srinaagr-Muzaffarbad road.
Sunil Gupta a BJP leader of Poonch said after the massacre of four civilians in border district of Poonch mood among people is of disbelief.
He said "it is strange that Islamabad was not responding to the confidence building measures initiated by Delhi." He said "groups of people in the border town were enraged over the way Pakistan has been stabbing us in the back," adding that they were favouring strong action against the militants and their patrons across the border.
Mr Gupta demanded that village Mangnar in Poonch be handed over to the Army following the recent elimination of four civilians,including two sisters,by the militants.He said strengthening the security grid in the village and its adjoining areas had become imperative because the belt was inhabited by Hindus and Sikhs.
Vipin Kumar of Poonch said "we in the border belt have added fears because if the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan was withdrawn we will suffer the most.Besides getting killed in the Pakistani artillery and mortar fire our farmers are not allowed to carry out farming.
Ghulam Mohd of Poonch said that "it will be very unfortunate if the bus services were cancelled and ceasefire agreement between the two sides ended." He said "Islamabad should reciprocate Delhi moves to build bridges and stop abetting terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir after dismantling arms training infrastructure for the rebels across the LOC."
Leaders of Trade and Industry in Jammu said that "opening of two routes for bus services to Pakistan administered Kashmir had promoted people to people contact necessary for removing the veil of mistrust."
They said "we were expecting these two routes to be opened for trade and this can be possible if Islamabad responded to the peace initiatives of India."
Majority of people in Palanwalla in Akhnoor sector,who were able to return to their houses after a gap of six years when they fled the area during 1999 Kargil conflict encouraging Pakistani troops to shell the area,seem to be a highly worried lot. Ashok Kumar, a businessman in Palanwala said "if the ceasefire agreement is scrapped we will have to face the brunt of Pakistani bulltes and shells." He said "if such a situation took place we may be forced to flee to safer places."
However,official sources said here today "we do not perceive any threat to peace on the border." |
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