Srinagar: Large number of people queue up outside the passport office in Indian Kashmir's main city to get themselves accommodated in the first historic bus which leaves for Muzaffarabad, capital of Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, next month. India and Pakistan last month breathed new life to a year-old peace process by agreeing to the bus service linking the divided Kashmir territories, prompting celebrations in the troubled region. The nuclear rivals, who went to the brink of war in 2002, both claim Kashmir. Kashmiris have been ecstatic about the opening up of the route for the first time since it severed after he two countries went to war over the scenic and mountainous territory in 1947-48.

     There was a wild scramble for the 100 forms issued week ago and the scene was no different this week at the passport office in Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian Kashmir, with people hoping that they could be among the 30 passengers to board the first Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus on April 7. Officials hoped things would be in order soon after the initial euphoria. "For 30 passengers in a fortnight we cannot issue 5,000 forms so we have to restrict. We are trying our best to sort out the problems and talk to people and sort out the issue. If the number is needed, we will increase the form," said John S. Shishi, passport officer. The passport office is dealing with the issue though passports would not be the valid travel documents after New Delhi agreed to Islamabad's reservations that cast a shadow on the bus service.

Indian Army officials inspecting the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road in Srinagar	Armymen crossing Kaman bridge on the new route while returning from Pak side	Repair work going on on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road in Srinagar

     "I am thankful to both Pakistan president and (Indian Prime Minister) Manmohan Singh who gave us this opportunity to meet our relatives. I appeal to both the governments that a peaceful atmosphere should prevail. We will be the worst sufferers if there is no friendship between the two," said Mohammed Amin, an elder who submitted his form. Hectic work is on to complete the construction of roads with engineers already repairing an old bridge, while Indian soldiers remove landmines from the 170-km route. Both sides of the 742 kms Line of Control, or ceasefire line, running through Kashmir, have been heavily mined by India and Pakistan. India has been struggling to quell a 15-year revolt in Muslim-majority Kashmir, which has killed more than 45,000 people. Authorities say violence has declined in Kashmir since India and Pakistan started a peace process more than a year ago but people are still being killed in bomb and gun attacks.
Mar 17, 2005