SRINAGAR: The trade between Indian and Pakistan-administered Kashmirs through Salamabad and Chakoti check posts has been suspended by businessmen, saying the authorities were creating hurdles.
President of the Traders’ Union, Nazir Ahmad Lone in Kashmir told a local news agency, KNS, that the Customs department at the check points “don’t allow a smooth trade.”
He said the decision to suspend trade was unanimous.
On Thursday he had also alleged that Chief Conservator Forests (CCF) Kashmir Nisar Darzi was disrupting their business.
“Since 2008, when the trade started, we were importing minor forest produce (MFP) from other side of the LoC. We were being issued Form 25 by Forest Department from Trade Facilitation Center Salamabad till now.
“But recently Darzi gave verbal instructions to DFO Baramulla not to allow us to carry our goods beyond Baramulla. He is trying to create hurdles and wants to make it as a source of income for him,” he alleged.
Forest Minister Mian Altaf has told the news agency that he asked his officers not to create any problems for the traders.
“I told them (forest officers) if they need any direction from the government, we will issue the order from Secretariat,” he said.
