India ready to trade with Pak through Jehlum valley
{image-Jehlum valley_18082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Srinagar, Aug 18: Appealing to people not to get influenced by misleading propaganda, a Jammu and Kashmir government spokesperson said on Monday, Aug 18 India still awaits Pakistan's response to start trade on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road.
He said efforts had been made by some elements to try and project that there have been delays on the part of the Government of India in the process of commencement of cross Line of Control (LoC) trade. ''However, the facts are otherwise, and Government of India has been assiduously pursuing the matter,'' he said and added in fact, India has suggested further cross LoC Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) which will continue to be pursued with Pakistan.
It may be recalled that senior Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz and several others were killed when police opened fire during Muzaffarabad march on August 11. The Hurriyat demanded opening of the road following alleged economic blockade and attack on Kashmiri drivers in Jammu.
The spokesman said it is hoped that the people in Jammu and Kashmir, and particularly the Kashmir valley, do not allow themselves to be influenced by misleading propaganda, and in that context, allow themselves to get involved in activities which have disrupted the peace and normalcy of the state, the daily lives of the people including the education of the children, supplies of basic day to day commodities, normal business and other activities, particularly, tourism which is one of the mainstays of the economy of the state.
For
the
last
several
days
there
have
been
reports
in
the
media,
and
statements
attributed
to
various
people,
particularly
in
the
state
that
on
account
of
the
alleged
''economic
blockade'' of
the
Kashmir
Valley,
the
route
to
Muzaffarabad,
across
the
Line
of
Control
(LoC),
should
be
opened
for
trade.
Particular
emphasis
has
been
given
in
this
context
to
the
transportation
of
fruits
from
the
Kashmir
Valley
to
the
rest
of
the
country,
and
to
alleged
shortages
of
essential
commodities
in
the
State.
In
the
process
elements
who
have
been
opposed
to
normalisation
of
the
situation
in
the
sensitive
state,
have
also
got
an
opportunity
to
misguide
the
people.
However, he said, in the wake of the recent agitation pertaining to the controversy around land for facilities for Amarnath Yatris, there had been some disruptions of movement along the national highway. Not only have these disruptions been cleared, but it has also been categorically stated that free movement along the national highway will be ensured.
In fact there have been no bottlenecks ever since some initial disruptions were there for three-four days. Unfortunately, due to calls for bandhs and other protests in the Kashmir valley, despite the fact that the highway is through, there have been difficulties in the full and free movement of goods and traffic. At the same time the situation is being exploited to raise demands and slogans for opening the cross LoC route for trade and movement of goods.
He said as a part of the Composite Dialogue with Pakistan, and CBMs, inter alia, the Government of India has taken the initiative to facilitate travel of people across the LoC along the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot routes.
UNI