SRINAGAR: Karvan-e-Aman bus, operating between Srinagar and Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK) remained suspended since March 4, badly hitting families, divided in 1947 due to partition.
The Cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between the two divided parts of the state also remained suspended following direction by Union Home Ministry that it was being used for terror funding in the valley. Over a dozen LoC traders were questioned by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and some of them detained in connection with terror funding.
Due to frequent ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops on the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) coupled with uneasy situation in the Kashmir valley, the weekly bus service could not be restored, official sources told UNI.
The bus service was initially suspended on March 4 after a message was received from POK side that Aman Setu bridge at Kaman post, the last Indian military post on this side of the LoC was under repair. Later, no fresh message was received and the bus remained suspended. “We cannot say when the bus service will be resumed,” sources said, adding divided families continue to suffer.
The service was introduced on April 7, 2005 when India and Pakistan agreed to allow travel of state subjects from both sides to travel on “Travel Permits” instead of Passports. Later the facility was extended between Poonch in Jammu to Rawlakote in PoK.
Earlier, residents from both sides had to travel to Delhi or Wagah in Punjab to cross over to other side for visiting their separated families on International Passport.
(AGENCIES)
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