People's Democracy

The following is the statement issued by Awami Muttahida Mahaz (AMM) on January 21:

EXPRESSING serious concern on the events unfolding after the seizure of a narcotics consignment at LoC, Awami Muttahida Mahaz (AMM) appealed the leadership of two countries not to squeeze the confidence building measures (CBM’s) to such a level.

In a statement issued in Srinagar, the AMM regretted the continuing standoff between the authorities across the LoC on trade and travel. It impressed upon the authorities of the two countries to mutually sort out the issues which surfaced after the latest incident at command post.

AMM lamented the decision of halting the trade activities and suspension of the bus service between Srinagar and Muzzaffarabad saying that it is unfortunate that the events triggered by the seizure of contraband has led to derailment of a few confidence building measures in place for the people living across the divide.

It took strong exception to the invisible efforts of the elements across the border who have developed a deep vested interest in continuance of the sufferings of the people in the region. The statement said that in all these years of conflict, a vested interest has developed among the groups and elements across the border to keep the hostilities between India and Pakistan alive.

AMM urged the leadership of the two countries to intervene and put an end to the stalemate on trade across LoC in the larger interests of the people of the region. It further reiterated that the two leaderships must exhibit statesmanship and must show foresightedness while taking sensitivities of the region into consideration.