Suspended cross-LoC trade centre in Kashmir handed to tourism department

A Salamabad centre in Kashmir has been handed over to the Tourism Department seven years after cross-Line of Control trade was suspended, The Hindu reports. The centre was associated with the cross-LoC trade route, which has remained inactive since its suspension, according to the supplied material. Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti said the handover closed “a chapter of hope”.

Her comment was included in the report’s description of the development. The source does not explain the planned use of the centre by the Tourism Department, identify the authority that completed the transfer or give reasons for the suspension of trade. It also does not provide details of any proposal to restart cross-LoC commerce, or record reactions from traders beyond noting that the development was discussed alongside their recollections of the trade’s earlier promise.