By IRNA,
Srinagar, India : Thousands of Kashmiri families, divided by Line of Control for past sixty years, have been waiting for an opportunity to meet their loved ones after India and Pakistan opened several crossing points along the heavily militarized de-facto border in early 2000.
Hopes of many thousands were however dashed after both countries, controlling the two parts of Kashmir, devised tough travel procedures thus denying the divided families right to see each other.
Around 7000 families on the Indian side of the Line of Control are unable to meet their relatives on the other side due to denial of permission from Pakistani authorities.
Only 3536 persons out of a total of 15,390 applicants have been able to undertake the trip over the LoC since the opening of the crossing points in Uri, Poonch, Teetwal and Balnoi areas of Kashmir.
According to reliable sources, 15,390 applications had been received for travel across the LoC through the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot bus services, out of which 11,250 have been cleared after verification by the regional passport office at Srinagar.
But so far, only 3536 passengers have been allowed entry by Pakistani authorities, while 450 others have been unable to take the trip because of personal reasons.
That leaves about 7264 divided families which have been denied entry by Pakistan despite being cleared by India.
They include 79 traders from the Kashmir chamber of commerce, 68 aspiring pilgrims, 107 Sikhs desirous of visiting various holy sites, 10 members of the Kashmir Writers Association, 11 representatives of transport operators and 15 Hurriyat Conference leaders.
Sources said that out of 11,850 applications from the other side of the LoC, the Indian authorities had cleared 9500 travelers.
About 4370 persons from the other side have already taken the trip, the rest are expected to cross the LoC in the near future via Uri and Chakan-da-Bagh.
Pakistan’s reluctance to broaden the base of permissions has put around 7264 families belonging to remote areas of the state in a state of anxiety. They have appealed to Pakistani authorities to expedite their travel clearance so that they can meet their relatives separated for decades.
Keen to see enhanced cross-Line of Control travel and trade, India plans to liberalise the entry permit system and favours increase in frequency of Srinagar-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawalakot bus services by making these weekly.
It also favours early launch of bus services between Kargil in Ladakh and Skardu in Northern Areas under Pakistani control.
Indian Home Minister Shiv Raj Patil said recently that these measures will expand travel across the LoC and also enable wider cultural, academic, students and other exchanges.