Despite the recent seizures by National Investigation Agency (NIA), which is probing Hawala money transaction in Jammu and Kashmir, pointing out cross LoC trade to be main funnel for cash flow to keep Kashmir unrest and terrorism, continuing the move to reopen the route which was closed for over two weeks is surprising. As part of its probe into the alleged transfer of funds from across the border, used to fuel terror networks, the NIA had been investigating close to 300 companies that were engaged in cross-border trade since 2008. The agency found five companies with dubious transaction records, leading it to further probe them. Started as a politico- emotional venture the trade has not benefitted India in terms of revenue generation. It is more to appease the Kashmiri sentiments of being nearer to Pakistan and neither the goods transacted are locally produced as mandated. According to the cross-LoC trade agreement between India and Pakistan, products grown in both sides of Jammu and Kashmir were to be exchanged under the barter system. The products included the California almonds, that is grown in parts of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. During the NIA searches, documents related to exchange of California almonds were also seized. Both cross border travel and trade have remained under the cloud of uncertainty for a long time. The recent issue of 116 stranded PoK visitors who were not allowed to cross back to their country at Chakan-da-Bagh are going to cerate some more problems. These visitors are staying in India without papers and permission for the last more than five weeks. Their illegal stay may lead to action under Indian law. The bilateral trade was suspended on July 25 after the J and K Police recovered 66.5-kg heroin from a truck at the Salambad check post at Uri in Baramulla District on the Muzaffarabad-Srinagar Highway. The route has been an entry point for narcotics, Hawala money from Pakistan this fact even the governments both at the Centre and State know well still the urgency to open defies all logic of mutual cooperation. In general the trade has not helped in boosting the local industry nor has it helped in creating jobs the two most needed economic aspects but has helped in spurting terrorism in India.
