Chakan Da Bagh (Poonch): Though the exact dates for facilitating cooperation between India and Pakistan in providing relief to the victims of the earthquake are still to be decided, many divided families who came here from across the Line of Control to meet their relatives have returned home disappointed.

Practically, every family in the belt along the Line of Control (LoC), inhabited by Gujjars and Pahari-speaking people, has been divided. Even Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) shares its ethnicity with the border belt of Jammu and Kashmir. On October 22, the Indian Government officially proposed to open relief centres or camps, including Chakan Da Bagh (Poonch), and in turn facilitate the reunion of divided families. It was proposed to open these relief camps by October 25. Later, it was decided to hold talks on the issue on October 29 for finalising the dates. However, most of the divided families came to know of this development only on Thursday morning.

Salma Begum, who had come along with her children with the hope of seeing her two brothers in the neighbouring Abbaspur area, said: "I had told my brother telephonically through someone to come here this morning so that we could meet. Even my kids were excited to meet their relatives. Now we are told no date has been decided for the opening of the camp."

Thousands of families on either side of the LoC await final information about their relatives.

Little contact has been possible here as there is no direct STD lines facility to PoK. Saleel Mohammad, a teacher of the Government Primary School, Khari, whose sister died in the earthquake across the LoC, says: "We had waited for ages for the Line of Control to open. But we never thought that we would had to undergo this tragedy to meet each other."

"Not wasting time, the authorities have taken all steps to give the idea of opening relief centres and facilitating [the] reunion of divided families a practical shape. The erection of colourful tents was almost done in few hours of the Central Government's announcement," Brigadier A.K. Bakshi of Poonch brigade said. "Our jawans have established the necessary infrastructure required for the task. We are prepared for any date." Army engineers of the Poonch brigade have completed laying a three km rough stretch within 24 hours from Khari village to Chakan Da Bagh, and the 6km Poonch-Khari road is already functional.

At Chakan Da Bagh, Army engineers have prepared a 100-bed temporary hospital, including a 10-bed emergency ward, where those from PoK injured in the quake are to be treated.

A computer has been installed and temporary identity cards will be issued for the visitors.

The area is fully secure from the security perspective. A hill is the main barrier between Khari village on this side of the LoC and Tetrinote village in PoK. Villages on the Indian side are scarcely populated.

Most of the infiltration attempts in this belt have been foiled, the latest being three months ago.

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