Trade via LoC needs deeper probe

The suspension of trade across the Line of Control at two trade routes- Chakkan-da-Bagh and Salamabad has been invariably in controversies for different reasons. While the unfortunate incidents related to incidents of Infiltration, Border firing and terror strikes topped by the political events that deteriorated the bilateral relations between Indian and Pakistan.
From controversies often created by the Traders involved in this trade like demanding Banking channel payments and other facilities; smuggling of drugs and weapons; pilferage of goods and edible stuff from the consignments imported by the security and clearance staff are just a few to ponder over. The action was taken after it was reported that Pakistan based elements were using the trade route to smuggle weapons, fake currency and narcotics.
The Home Ministry said that a stricter regulatory and enforcement mechanism is being worked and the issue of the reopening the trade routes will be revisited once they are implemented.
There is provision of review meetings mechanism involving the traders from both sides chaired by the Deputy Commissioners of the respective districts Poonch and Baramullah.
There were reports that traders of LoC trade had ventured out a separate meeting held at a third country outside India without the knowledge of the Deputy Commissioners. The issue needed to be probed by Central Investigative Agency.
The LoC trade, at present, takes place four days a week and is based on barter system and zero-duty. The measure has been taken in the backdrop of the Pulwama terror attack following which India stepped up its military and strategic offensive against Pakistan and also withdrew the most favoured nation (MFN) from its neighbour.
“During ongoing probe of certain cases by NIA, it has been brought out that significant number of trading concerns engaged in LoC trade are operated by persons closely associated with banned terror organisations involved in fuelling terrorism/separatism,” the statement also read. It was found that cross-border traders had been tapped by terror groups to help raise funds for terror activities in J&K. The NIA had found that a food item would be imported from Pakistan at a very low price and then sold at double the amount in India. For instance, Californian almonds would be imported by the trader at Rs 350 a kilogram and then sold at Rs 700 in the Indian market. The profit investigators say would be used to fund terror.
There is a select network of traders that the terror groups have tapped into to further their agenda. These traders work under terror groups such as the Hizbul Mujahideen and the Lashkar-e-Tayiba, an NIA official informed. The NIA has also found a list of 21 items that are being imported by traders from Pakistan at a very low cost. Out of this the highest profit margin is for the California almond which sells at double the cost in India, the NIA official also informed.