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Apples, honey and spices cross the Line of Control

RENEWING HOPES: Indian trucks loaded with food items cross into the border town of Chakothi in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Tuesday. India and Pakistan began border trading in six decades, raising hopes of defusing tension in Kashmir. - PHOTO: AFP

SALAMABAD (URI): The much-awaited cross-LoC trade began on Tuesday with Jammu and Kashmir Governor N.N. Vohra flagging off a caravan of 13 trucks carrying goods on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road. At the Chakan Da Bagh crossing point on Poonch-Rawalakote road, Governor’s Adviser H.H. Tyabji flagged off the first consignment of three trucks at Poonch.

Describing the cross-LoC trade as an important confidence-building measure aimed at normalising India-Pakistan relations, Mr. Vohra said the people of Jammu and Kashmir would benefit as the trade links would open up new vistas of economic progress in the region.

People’s Democratic Party president Mehbooba Mufti, who was present on the occasion, said: “It is a dream come true for us. People had made sacrifices for opening of this road for civilian movement and trade.”

The well-decorated trucks laden with apples, honey, spices and handicrafts moved towards the Kaman Post, the last point on the LoC, to enter the other part of Kashmir. An enthusiastic crowd cheered and jostled for space to catch a glimpse of the fleet.

“It is a great day for us,” said Mohammad Hanief of Salamabad, who witnessed the first Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus crossing the same point on April 7, 2005.

“We were ignored by history, but I think this road of great potential has been revived now and we all will benefit and also will help to dismantle the walls of misunderstanding on both sides,” said Mukhtar Ahmad, a government employee.

From the Muzaffarabad side also 13 trucks entered this side. For the time being, trucks from Muzaffarabad will stop and unload at Salamabad. Likewise, Chakothi will be the nodal point on the other side.

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