Cross-LoC trade remains suspended since July 21

Srinagar, Aug 8 : The Cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir (PoK) remained suspended since July 21 when 66.5 kgs of narcotic drugs were recovered from a truck at Trade Centre Salamabad, Uri, which was part of the trade that started from 2008. Despite agreement by both the sides to resume trade from today, no exchange of goods took place, official sources told UNI. However, the Karvan-e-Aman bus, operating between Srinagar and PoK, resumed yesterday and 178 residents of both the sides crossed Kaman Post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC in Uri sector. Sources said that trade between the two side of the LoC remained suspended and no truck could cross the Aman Setu, peace bridge at Uri. However, it was not immediately clear why the trade was not resumed today as agreed by both the sides during a meeting on August 3 at Zero-Point at Uri. Trade was suspended after police recovered drugs hidden in fake cavities specifically fabricated for this purpose in boxes purportedly to contain mercantile goods. The driver of the truck, identified as Syed Yousuf, son of Ali Akbar, has been arrested. Later on August 3, the authorities of Jammu and Kashmir and PoK agreed to resume trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route this week. The decision to resume cross-LoC trade was taken during a meeting at Zero point between J&K and PoK officials at Kaman post. The meeting between officials from both sides also took several other decisions to streamline the trade and prevent such incidents. During the meeting, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Baramulla Dr Nasir Ahmad Naqash had stressed upon Director General (DG) Travel and Trade Authority of PoK Shahid Ahmad for carrying out the trade process in a transparent manner and ensuring stringent checks on the traded items. Dr Naqash said that scrutiny of trade associated vehicles should be strengthened so that all the hurdles confronting it are eliminated. UNI