Stranded PoK residents to be sent back tomorrow, says DC

Shyam Sood

Rajouri, August 19

The Poonch administration has made necessary arrangements for sending 116 stranded PoK residents, who were denied entry by Pakistan due to tension along the Line of Control (LoC), on August 21.

“We have contacted the authorities for their safe return via the Kaman Post in the Uri sector by travelling in the Karwan-e-Aman weekly bus service. All stranded PoK residents have been asked to reach the sports stadium at Poonch before afternoon on Sunday for their return,” said Tariq Zargar, Deputy Commissioner, Poonch.

He said these PoK residents would be provided night stay facility at Poonch and early on Monday (August 21) they would be sent to Srinagar under tight security cover via Mughal Road for their onward journey to PoK.

Pertinently, PoK residents usually come to this side to meet members of their families in Rajouri and Poonch districts.

After the escalation of border tension due to the Pakistan army’s heavy mortar shelling along the LoC and in forward areas, the Poonch-Rawalakot bus service was suspended on July 10. Since then Pakistan has refused to open the gate at Chakan-da-Bagh hence the stay of PoK residents was extended.

Official sources said necessary information had been shared with the Baramula administration and it was requested to provide logistic support for the crossing of the PoK guests on August 21 from the Kaman post.