Srinagar, July 20: In a major blow to the cross LOC trade, authorities Friday returned all the consignments which had come from across the LoC after custom officials raised objection to the origin of the almonds that were the part of 20-trucks consignment.
 Sources told KNS that custom officials had the apprehension that the almonds had been imported from California (US) which, they said, was the violation of the MOU. “It has been pointed out even in the past that the almonds were not of PaK origin and had been transported from a third country. But then we got a written clarification from the customs saying we have reached to the conclusion that the consignment needs to be released.” the custodian of the cross LOC trade at Salamanabd Nazir Ahmad Baba told KNS on Friday evening. Baba said that the information he received from the TFC suggest that the customs officials had some objection on giving clearance to the almond trucks and hence had decided to send the samples of it to the laboratory before it could be cleared for the markets.
 Meanwhile deputy commissioner Baramulla, GM Khawja told KNS that it was the Delhi based traders who had lodged a complaint regarding the origin of the almonds. “They complained that the almonds were being imported from California which is against the MOU.
 Authorities had decided to send the samples to a Bangalore based laboratory to ascertain its origin which was objected to by the traders, hence the consignment was sent back,” Khawja said.
 Meanwhile Salamabad-Chakoti traders Union has flayed customs authorities for ‘disallowing items laden in 20 trucks to cross into Kashmir.” They alleged 50 truckloads were allowed to cross over to the other side of the LoC.
 “Those trucks contained dates, almonds, almond kernels, meswaqs, carpets, and tomatoes.” said General Secretary of the Union Hilal Ahmad Turki. He said the conduct of the authorities was beyond his understanding. The Union has lodged strong protest over stoppage of articles from across the line of control. (KNS)

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