Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service resumes

Srinagar, Aug 21 : The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service between India and Pakistan, which was suspended last week due to violent protests over the Amarnath land transfer, resumed here today.

According to official sources, 61 passengers today left for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). Out of the 61, 58 were returning home to Muzaffarabad.

The fortnightly bus service would also ply on August 28 according to schedule, the sources added.

The bus service was suspended on August 14 in the wake of violence in the valley after five persons including Hurriyat leader Sheikh Abdul Aziz were killed in police firing on a rally marching towards Muzaffarabad in protest against the blockade of Srinagar-Jammu National Highway over the Amarnath land transfer row.

In one of the most positive and concrete confidence building measures, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh had flagged off the bus service linking the two parts of divided Kashmir in 2005.

The service, which runs twice a month, has been projected as small concession for families separated by conflict since 1947 but also carries hopes for cautious peace process.

ANI