Open routes with PoK in view of economic blockade in Jammu: PDP

Srinagar, Jul 6 (UNI) Alleging economic blockade of Kashmir enforced by some anti-social elements in Jammu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today demanded immediate operationalisation of truck service with Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) to ensure availability of essential commodities to the valley.

Former Finance minister and senior PDP leader Tariq Hamid Karra in a statement here today has called for immediate start of truck service between Srinagar-Muzafarabad and Poonch-Rawalakote in POK roads to ensure availability of essential commodities to the Kashmir valley in view of the economic blockade enforced by some fascist elements in Jammu.

He said the continued enforced closure of the Pathankote-Jammu and the Jammu-Srinagar highway by the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) and its associates for the past one week has created acute scarcity of essential commodities and petroleum products in the Kashmir valley, Poonch, Rajouri and Doda regions.

Unfortunately, the government, instead of tackling the crisis is watching the situation like a mute spectator, he alleged.

''The enforced closure of the Srinagar-Jammu and Jammu-Pathankote highways is also adversely affecting the exports from Kashmir as hundreds of truckloads of fruit and vegetables are rotting in various parts of the valley causing immense loss to the growers,'' he said.

He said under these circumstances the only alternative to ensure smooth import and export of goods to and fro from these areas, is immediate operationalisation of truck services with POK.

''If the fascist elements continue to run their writ, Kashmiris cannot be left at their mercy and alternative links of communication and transportation to the Valley shall have to be restored, sooner the better,'' he said.

Acclaiming the unparalleled amity and harmony exhibited by Kashmiris during the recent protests against the diversion of land to the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board by arranging free food for the Yatris, Mr Karra said the BJP and its cohorts must learn a lesson in compassion and goodwill from the people of the valley.

UNI BAS ASM SV HT1635