Kashmir converts former cross-LoC trade hub into tourism centre

…scanning centres, customs services and a cafeteria, to the Tourism Department. The move comes seven years after the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) suspended the cross-LoC trade in April 2019 “due to security reasons”. “ Handing over the Salamabad Trade Facilitation Centre to the Tourism Department will promote border tourism. The area has great potential for tourism. I thank Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for it, ” said Sajad Shafi, National Conference legislator from Uri. But for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and traders associated with the cross-LoC trade, the news has come as a rude shock. “This decision is deeply…

…Minister Omar Abdullah for it,” said Sajad Shafi, National Conference legislator from Uri. But for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and traders associated with the cross-LoC trade, the news has come as a rude shock. “ This decision is deeply distressing for me personally. The road was a dream cherished by lakhs of Kashmiris for decades, and one my father, Mufti (Muhammad Sayeed) Sahab, fulfilled in a remarkably short time, ” Ms. Mufti told The Hindu. She recalled the militant attack in 2005 on the Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in Srinagar, which was aimed at disrupting the cross-LoC bus service and left 13 people injured. “The cross-LoC…

…and revive old links,” he said. Mr. Akhtar called the decision to close the cross-LoC trade, which was inaugurated by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi, a “closure of hope”. “ Halting the trade is not an ordinary act. It’s stamping out hope, ” he said. According to official figures, the trade touched ₹1,700 crore by 2015. In 2019, the MHA suspended the trade, saying the trade routes were being used by Pakistan-based elements to funnel illegal weapons,…

…unsettled bills pending. It runs into crores of rupees,” said Mr. Bhat. The cross-LoC trade was a cashless barter system. Mr. Bhat said around 700 traders from both sides of the LoC were involved in the trade in 2019. “ As a trader, I feel I was toyed with. First, we were asked to start trading with fanfare, and suddenly it ended. I am sure there will be ‘black sheep’. The authorities could have identified them and taken action, but not ended the trade. No one incident of smuggling on the Wagah route leads to its permanent closure,” said Mr. Bhat. On the move to turn the trade centre into a tourism facility, Mr. Bhat said he would welcome the move “if tourism was…