In the seven months since the start of cross-Line of Control (LoC) trade between Jammu-Kashmir and Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK), it hasn’t been the Kashmiri apples and other state products that are being traded between the two sides. Rather, garlic from China, moong dal from Pakistan, onion from Punjab and coconut from southern and western Indian states are packed in most of the consignments that change hands between the borders. None of these items find mention in the list prepared by both sides for trade.

Jammu Chamber of Commerce president Ram Sahai said, “In the absence of proper rules to monitor cross-LoC trade, not only traders but also truck drivers are ferrying, among other things, moong dal from Pakistan and garlic from China.”

Not only this, import of 125 bags of khaskhas (poppy seeds) — a banned item — from PoK was detected recently, prompting customs officials at Chakkan Da Bagh in Poonch to approach the police to lodge an FIR into the matter.

Sources told The Indian Express that the consignment of poppy seeds had come in the name of khasgandi, a local herb. It would have gone

unnoticed had the poppy seeds not spilled out when a bag slipped from a labourer’s hands while unloading.

Custodian, cross LoC trade, Matloob Khan said the consignment was sent by M/s Al Madeena

and Co of Kotli to a Jammu-based trader,Vikram Singh. “We have called him for recording his statement and take further action into the matter,”

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