The Hindu : National : Army denies any roadblocks in opening relief points

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Sunday, Nov 06, 2005

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Army denies any roadblocks in opening relief points

Srinagar: The Army on Saturday denied that there were any roadblocks in the opening of relief points along the Line of Control (LoC), as reported by a section of the media.

Defence spokesman Lt. Col. V. K. Batra said all arrangements had been put in place to open the LoC at Teetwal, Kaman Post and Chakan Da Bagh on November 7 for crossing on foot by members of the divided families in Jammu and Kashmir and Pakistan-occupied Kahsmir.

``India and Pakistan had mutually sorted out all points and the exchange will go ahead as per schedule for three points on November 7,'' he said.

He said work on the other two points— Gharkote (Uri) and Tattapani (Mendhar)— will continue but they will be opened only when there is a ``popular demand'' as agreed to in the last meeting by officials of the two countries.

Reacting to the media reports that soldiers manning the LoC from both the sides had reportedly had a heated argument, he said such ``minor things'' must be ignored. ``We must realise that these are very minor issues and that must be ignored.... These things do not define the stand of India and Pakistan or their armies,'' he said.

Preparations over

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad on Friday said preparations for the opening of the LoC were complete and the Army would erect a Bailey bridge over the Kishenganga river within 24 hours ahead of the November 7 deadline. ``The preparations are complete. Our logistics are in place and the Army will put in place a bridge 24 hours before the opening of the LoC,'' Mr. Azad said. — UNI

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