M A I N   N E W S

Opening land route dangerous
Security agencies say move populist
Varinder Walia and Ashok Sethi

Amritsar, July 10
Intelligence and security agencies are apprehensive about the opening of land route to Pakistan and feel it is a populist move to catch Muslim votes. Such a step may jeopardise the security of the country as it will facilitate espionage activity at the behest of the Inter Services Intelligence.

The security agencies were reportedly not taken into confidence before making an announcement in this regard. The inflow of passengers between India and Pakistan, according to a rough estimate, is more than one lakh annually. Pakistani passengers who entered India through Samjhauta Express in the last decade did not return. Most are suspected to be indulging in espionage.

After the seizure of fake currency notes and narcotics from passengers, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, had proposed to discontinue Samjhauta Express but the Ministry of External Affairs opposed the move on the ground that such a step could harm the ties between both countries.

On an average, 6,000 persons travel between India and Pakistan every month as Samjhauta Express runs four times a month. Though the sister intelligence agencies working at the Attari railway station have already begun 100 per cent frisking, yet the ISI is able to send its trained persons with arms, counterfeit currency and narcotics, at times through gullible innocent persons, including women and children.

Before immigration was handed over to the Intelligence Bureau, two trained persons of Pakistan’s military intelligence had entered India through Samjhauta Express. They had managed to escape the security dragnet by bribing immigration officials. Sources say with the immigration being handed over to the IB, loopholes in security have been plugged to a great extent but it will be difficult to handle a good inflow of passengers at the Wagah checkpost if the Government of India opens the land route. In that case immigration and customs officials will not be able to deny entry to any passenger with a valid visa. The ISI and the military intelligence of Pakistan could use the land route for carrying out anti-India activities with ease.

Polygamy among Muslims could be a nuisance for the intelligence agencies. Grooms from both countries could have families in each country without inviting objections. Already thousands of such persons have been over-staying in India and they cannot be checked by the agencies.

Mr Satya Pal Dang, veteran CPI leader said without adequate safeguards, easing of visa restrictions could prove to be counter-productive.

Expressing apprehensions, Mr Dang pointed out that the Pakistani ruling elite continued to nurture hatred towards India. During the peak of militancy in Punjab, Pakistan had continued to aid and abet terrorism and foment trouble in the border state.

There was no question of compromising on national security by lowering the vigil till mutual trust and faith was established. Mr Dang, however, welcomed the confidence-building measures, though unilaterally announced by India, regarding opening of trade and easy movement of people. Mr Dang said Pakistan had yet to reciprocate the gesture.

However, Col J. S. Bal, president, Rashtrya Raksha Dal was optimistic about the announcement regarding easing of travel restrictions. He said such a step would help create harmonious relations between the neighbours.

The intelligence agencies are, however, still waiting details regarding the announcements made by the Ministry of External Affairs. The Pakistani passengers who come to India by Samjhauta Express or the Lahore-Delhi bus cannot disembark in the state. If the land route is opened, it will be difficult for the intelligence agencies to escort them to cross the Punjab border.

Officials of the intelligence agencies are of the view that the inflow of passengers from Pakistan will be increased manifold if the land route is opened. The Pakistani passengers on valid visas can carry out espionage activities. They can roam in any part of the country with the help of their relatives in India.

Mr Om Parkash Arora (Latti), president Indo-Pak exporters association, talking to TNS, welcomed the announcement on opening of the land route. He said if this was done import and export between both countries would touch new heights. He said travelling on Samjhauta Express was extremely uncomfortable.

If business men of the countries could visit each other’s country through the land route, the frequency of their visits could be increased. Exporters of both countries could earn a lot and ultimately the common man would benefit. Mr Rajesh Setia, general secretary, Amritsar Exporters Chamber of Commerce, welcoming the Indian gesture of opening a visa consulate office at checkposts, including Wagah, said this would facilitate traders from both countries and boost trade.

The Government of Pakistan has already offered to open the land route to Sikh pilgrims visiting Sikh shrines there. Mr Harpal Singh Bhullar, president, Bhai Mardana Yadgari Society, has claimed that officials of Pakistan had made this offer to visiting Sikh pilgrims recently.