LoC trade resumes after three weeks

Srinagar: After remaining suspended for three weeks, the trade between divided parts of Kashmir along the Line of Control through Salamabad-Chakoti route in Baramulla district in north Kashmir resumed Tuesday.

Custodian LoC trade here, Nazir Ahmad Baba said that 137 mini trucks exchanged sides from both sides of the divide.

“Seventy-two truck loads carrying Chilli, Cilli powder, coconut were exported from here while 65 load carriers were imported to Valley and mainly carried mixed dry fruits, oranges and carpets,” Baba told Press Bureau of India over telephone.

About evaluation in terms of money, the officer said that it would be done tomorrow as the trade continues two days a week—Tuesday and Wednesday.

The trade was resumed after three weeks as the cross LoC traders suspended their indefinite strike after government assurance to lay down required infrastructure with a month’s time at Salamabad.

The traders had alleged to have suffered a loss of Rs 7 crore as rain and snow damaged tradable items at trade centre last week. “Due to lack of proper infrastructure, we were forced to keep the goods in open during rainy conditions, which damaged truckloads of items,” Asif Ahmad Lone, the president of Salamabad-Chakoti Traders Federation told Press Bureau of India.

He also hoped that the government would fulfill its commitments about infrastructure at the trade centre.

The cross LoC trade started with fanfare on October 21, 2008 and since then the commerce, a barter system, witnessed several hitches mainly on account banking, communication facilities, multi-entry permits for traders and inclusion of demand driven products.