STATE TIMES NEWS
POONCH :The cross-border trade between India and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK) through Chakan-da-Bagh has been totally highjacked by nine traders who send their goods to the other side and they only receive the trade items from PoK. These nine traders have created a monopoly and are not allowing other registered firms to trade with PoK. This was brought to light by General Secretary Cross Border Traders Association, Krishan Singh, during interaction with STATE TIMES on Monday.
Krishan Singh said that these nine traders have links with the traders on the other side and the strategy is discussed with the traders of other side who reject the goods of other traders on their advice. The matter was already brought to the notice of Deputy Commissioner Poonch requesting him to conduct an inquiry as to how the trade has been grabbed by these nine traders leaving other 295 traders high and dry though they also are registered and have full right to trade but for the conspiracy between these nine traders and PoK traders. He said that some of these traders are qualified un-employed youths who tried to earn their livelihood through this trade but were side-lined by this ‘mafia traders’.
He appealed to the authorities to black-list these ‘Mafia traders’ for their activities unbecoming of the businessmen thereby depriving other registered traders of their business.
He claimed that the trade if released to the deserving traders would flourish. The General Secretary appealed for immediate action in this direction so that the deprived traders get justice.
