Photo: AP

GREATER CONTACTS: Congress party president Sonia Gandhi flags off the bus service between Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir and Rawalakot in Pakistan occupied Kashmir at the border post of Chakan Da Bagh on Tuesday, 58 years after the road link was snapped. With her are: Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. This is the second such service between divided Kashmir and the fourth between India and Pakistan.

Advertisement

Chakan Da Bagh (Line of Control): The first bus service in the post-Independence era between Poonch in Jammu and Kashmir and Rawalakot town in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir was flagged off by United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi along with Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday.

This is the second trans-LoC bus service to become operational. Sixty-six civilians travelled to PoK. In the other direction, PoK Prime Minister Sikandar Hayat Khan flagged off the bus from Rawalakot.

The new service has drastically reduced travel time. Earlier people had to travel to Uri for taking the trans-LoC bus service. The Poonch-Rawalakot road will cut the distance from over 700 km to just 47 km.

Ms. Gandhi said the bus service was a step forward in cementing the cordial relations between India and Pakistan and putting the animosity of the past behind them.

While stressing the importance of trans-LoC links and people-to-people contacts, she said: "We firmly believe that everyone has to contribute to improving relations between the two countries." She said all steps would be taken by the UPA Government to improve relations between the two countries. "Let there be no doubt on this as only through peaceful existence can both countries improve in all respects. This is the demand of time and the voice of the heart."

Ms. Gandhi assured the people of the State that the barriers to interacting with those on the other side would come down.

Call to separatists

Photo: AP

FIRST VISIT: A child from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, who arrived by the bus, crosses over to the Indian side at Chakan Da Bagh in Poonch district on Tuesday.

She urged separatists to join the process of dialogue, initiated by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, with a wider spectrum of civil society and political parties.

"Anybody who believes in broad democratic values should have the courage to talk and discuss the issues. We have an open mind on the issue and are prepared to talk with everyone.

Supporting violence or participating in violence only brings chaos in society." Ms. Gandhi said dialogue would be held with anyone within the broad parameters of the Indian Constitution.

`Dialogue, the only way'

Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee said it was only through dialogue and exchange of ideas could differences be settled. "Communication channels need to be opened all the time."

On the rise in violence in the State, he said: "There are vested interests which want the sufferings of the people to continue and even spoil the good relations between the peoples of the two countries. We will take steps so that the peace process is not scuttled and effectively deal with the militants."

PTI reports:

Fifty-six passengers were aboard the first Poonch-bound bus service from Rawalakot. A number of PoK politicians, officials and senior Pakistani Army officials were present at the Rawalakot ceremony.

In Srinagar, the Hurriyat said the launching of the bus service would help resolve the Kashmir issue.

"We demand that travel through these two roads be made easier to enable more and more people to benefit," Hurriyat Chairman Mirwaiz Umer Farooq said.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail