Srinagar, June 22: Chairman of Hurriyat Conference (M), Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, on Friday said that people arriving from Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) through Kaman Post in Uri were being treated like “prisoners of war.”
Talking to Greater Kashmir, Mirwaiz said people coming from PaK face lot of difficulties as soon as they reach on this side. “They have to undergo various security checks and frisking near the LoC and face lot of humiliation at the hands of security personnel deployed there,” Mirwaiz said. “They are treated like prisoners of war.”
He said that guests arriving from across the LoC are bundled into buses like cattle. “Our guests facing humiliation is unfortunate,” Mirwaiz said.
He said that lot of people who have come from other side are outraged at the treatment being meted out to them near Kaman Post. “It is not acceptable and tolerable. They need to be treated in a humane way,” he added.
He expressed dismay over central agencies monitoring the cross-LoC travel in Kashmir. “This was the only CBM which was Kashmir-centric. It was aimed at bridging the gap between the people. Initially it was agreed that local officials from both the sides will facilitate the cross LoC travel,” he said. “Cross LoC travel in PaK is handled by the local officials whereas in Kashmir central agencies, including Passport Office, are directly involved in facilitating the travel.”
“We demand that local administration should be given the charge and there should be no interference of central agencies,” he said. “The state subject should be the only document required to travel to the other side.”
Referring to the cross LoC trade, he said, “It has lost relevance. Items arriving from Pakistan are not even visible in Kashmir. From here these items are sent directly to Amritsar. Kashmiris are just acting as conduits between Amritsar and Islamabad.”
Taking a dig at New Delhi and Islamabad, Mirwaiz said, “Facilitating cross LoC travel and trade were the only Kashmir-specific CBMs. These have been messed up by their undue interference. Lackadaisical approach towards cross LoC travel and trade has disappointed Kashmiris.”
Mirwaiz said that much hype was created by both the countries about these CBMs but these have proved to be a “damp squib”. “Lack of sincerity on part of New Delhi towards Kashmir-specific CBMs has made the belief of Kashmiri people more strong that New Delhi is not sincere vis-à-vis resolution of the Kashmir issue.”

Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 22 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sat, 23 Jun 2012 00:00:00 IST