Trade resumes across LoC

The decision to release all the drivers across the Line of Control was jointly taken on a humanitarian basis, sources.

MUZAFFARABAD: The Travel and Trade Authority (Tata) of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and the authorities of Indian-Occupied Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday agreed to release truck drivers stranded on both sides of the LoC except one driver who was accused of smuggling drugs.

Following the decision, 48 trucks from Azad Jammu and Kashmir have reached Chakothi while 27 trucks from Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir crossed the LoC from Chakothi, some 60 kilometres from here.

Official sources said the decision to release all the drivers across the Line of Control was jointly taken by Islamabad and New Delhi on a humanitarian basis. The Express Tribune has learned that the one driver held back will be presented in the criminal court in Srinagar.

Sources added that authorities in Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir had accepted in a meeting with Tata officials that the driver is innocent and, following formal court proceedings, he will be released soon after.

“The Indian-held Jammu and Kashmir administration and Tata will decide whether to restore the Cross Line of Control trade or not in the next meeting to be held on LoC,” sources added.

Meanwhile, the Jhelum Valley Transporters Association and the released 48 Azad Kashmir drivers will stage a protest today demanding the immediate release of the detained driver. The driver was accused of smuggling drugs and was arrested by the Indian authorities on January 17, resulting in the suspension of the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service and trade across the Line of Control. The bus service was resumed on February 3.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th, 2014.