Fourth trans-Kashmir crossing opens for quake relief
PakistanTimes.net Staff Report

LINE OF CONTROL (LoC): The fourth crossing point was opened at the Line of Control [LoC] in Kashmir to facilitate the flow of aid to desperate earthquake survivors.

The fourth crossing point was opened at Tatta Pani-Mahendar area at LoC and movement of relief supplies from the crossing between Azad Kashmir and India held-Kashmir were started.

The authorities have yet to give clearance for the movement of people from the crossing point.

A ceremony was held for the fourth crossing opening attended by the military and civil officials from the two sides. Mediamen and large number of people from Azad Kashmir also attended the ceremony.

A rare atmosphere of friendship and warmth was witnessed on the occasion with people from both sides of the Himalayan State of Jammu & Kashmir engaged in friendly conversation.

Humanitarian Supplies

India and Pakistan opened a fourth crossing along the Line of Control [LoC] splitting earthquake-ravaged Kashmir but allowed only humanitarian supplies across and not civilians.

Indian officials say they expect the first Kashmiris to cross the the LoC soon but the two sides have not yet set a date.

Indian and Pakistani officials smiled and shook hands at the crossing opening.

"The Tatta Pani-Mendher crossing on the Line of Control in Kashmir opened at 10:30 am [0530 GMT]," a senior official said in the area. Tatta Pani is situated in Azad Kashmir and Mendher is in the India held-Kashmir.

Afterwards porters carried across heavy sacks containing blankets, rations and other relief, for quake-hit families on both sides. No Kashmiri civilians were permitted to cross the heavily militarized LoC.

"They exchanged two trucks each of relief goods," an official said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Recap

The neighbours agreed to open five crossing points to aid humanitarian efforts following the October 8 quake that killed over 80,000 people in Pakistan and in Azad Kashmir and 1,300 people in India held-Kashmir.

Police used tear gas to hold back villagers who wanted to cross the frontier when the first crossing opened a week ago, an action that angered Kashmiris.

The two countries have yet to exchange and approve lists of people who will be allowed to cross to help relatives and friends on the other side.

"Civilians will soon be crossing this line. The purpose of opening these points is to allow Kashmiris to meet each other during this crisis," said an official who declined to be named.

The two countries opened the first crossing along the Line of Control on November-7 in Poonch district, followed two days later by another in the Uri sector. The third crossing at Titwal was opened on Saturday.

The move to open the crossings after almost 60 years was seen as a boost to the slow-moving peace process between the historic enemies, who have fought two of their three wars over the issue of scenic region, Jammu & Kashmir.

The fifth and final crossing is due to open tomorrow, Wednesday. However, the openings are largely symbolic as only a limited amount of aid is coming through. Continued violence by guerrillas fighting New Delhi's illicit rule in India held-Kashmir following the quake has undermined some of the optimism. Providing relief and shelter has gained urgency as temperatures plummet.●