116 stranded PoK residents to be sent back via Uri on Monday

JAMMU: Even as trans-LoC travel and trade between India and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) via Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch remains suspended for over a month now, 116 PoK residents, who were stuck in India will now be sent back to PoK via Uri in Baramulla on August 21.

Three Indians stuck in PoK will also return home via Uri only, where the cross LoC trade resumed on August 8.

Following skirmishes between Indian and Pakistan on the LoC in Poonch and Rajouri districts since May 1 this year, the travel and trade with PoK via Chakanda-Bagh had come to a halt. As a result, 116 PoK residents and three Indian citizens were left stranded in J&K and PoK.

Custodian of the Chakan-daBagh Trade Facilitation Centre, Tanvir Ahmed Choudhary said, “PoK residents will be sent back via Uri on Monday and similarly three residents of the state will also return via the same route.”

“On Sunday, all the PoK residents will be taken to Poonch and then on Monday they will be ferried via Mughal road to Uri, from where they will be sent to PoK,” informed the official.

The border trade and travel takes place via two crossing points on the LoC through Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch district and Salamabad in Uri of Baramulla district. While trade takes place four days a week from Tuesday to Friday, travel takes place on Mondays.

A police officer said since the situation in Chakan-da-Bagh remains vulnerable. “Though heavy firing has not taken place in the past few days but Pak army is indulging in sniper fire. Normalcy has not yet returned,” the officer added. President of the Chakan-da-Bagh LoC traders’ association, Pawan Anand said even after six weeks of suspension, there were no signs of resumption of trade and travel.