Army authorities have disallowed a youth from Pakistan-administered Kashmir to meet his grandmother and other relatives after he legally crossed over the Line of Control in Chakan-da-Bagh in Poonch.
Kamran Aftab, the 20-year-old resident of Bandii, tehsil Khuiratta, district Kotli of PaK travelled on the peace bus on January 28 to meet with his many relatives on the Indian side of the LoC including his grandmother who lives in Galota Behrote village near the dividing line.
Galota Behrote village is located ahead of LoC fence on the Indian side and to reach there one has to cross gates manned by the army.
On reaching Poonch, Aftab said he moved towards Mendhar in order to meet his grandmother and relatives Mohammad Mahroof son of Faqir Mohammad living in Galota Behrote.
"I reached the army gate so that I can move towards the village where my grandmother and uncle are living but army disallowed me," Aftab told Greater Kashmir.
The PaK youth then went to Police Post Balakote along with some local residents, but received no help, Aftab said.
"We visited the office of deputy commissioner Poonch and informed him about the matter who in turn wrote a letter to army authorities."
A copy of the letter is with Greater Kashmir in which deputy commissioner Poonch, Rahul Yadav has accorded permission to Aftab to cross the LoC fencing gates for visiting his relative Mohammad Mahroof son of Faqir Mohammad.
However, the army authorities again declined to let him cross the gates despite the DC's letter of permission.
"I am presently living in the house of one of my relative here and wish to go to Galota Behrote village where my grandmother and uncle's family is living," Aftab said, saddened by the army denials.
Aftab's legal permit (number P-75168) to travel on the cross-LoC bus expires on February 25. The permit is issued by designated Indian and Pakistani authorities in Kashmir on both sides of the LoC after fierce scrutiny of the travelers' credentials.
"I am surprised over all this and request army authorities to allow me to move as I had come here to meet my relatives who are living on this side of this divided line called LoC," Aftab said.
Yadav said the matter has been taken up with army authorities.
"I also wrote them (Army authorities) a letter and I am in constant touch with them. Army is citing some security concern and we are trying to resolve this matter at the earliest," Yadav, the deputy commissioner said, adding his office was trying to send representatives along with Aftab so he could cross the army gates.
"We are going to take up the matter with higher authorities in government and then a call will be taken on it," said Lt Col Devinder Anand, Jammu-based defense spokesman
