Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

The Indian government has on Thursday ceased the cross-border Line of Control (LOC) trade between Kashmir (Indian occupied) and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), the latest move which prompted a strong reaction from traders fearing the Indian decision could promote destitution.

According to Dawn news reports, in an official notification, the Indian ministry of home affairs said the trade was suspended from the crossing points – Tetrinote-Chakan da Bagh and Chakothi-Uri – of the LOC due to illegal “misuse of these routes by unnamed elements in Pakistan”.

The notification read, “The Government of India has received reports that cross-LoC trade routes in Jammu and Kashmir are being misused by Pakistan-based elements. This misuse involves inflows of illegal weapons, narcotics, and currency.”

It added, “The LoC trade mechanism is, therefore, being suspended pending the putting into place of a stricter regulatory regime. This is to ensure that only bonafide trade takes place for the benefit of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, through this mechanism.”

The Indian decision taken unilaterally has spread fears among the traders who had invested some billion of rupees in barter trade which was launched in October 2008 as the 2nd Kashmir-specific confidence building measure (CBM) between Pakistan and India after the cross-LOC travel.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *