Activists from an independence movement held a protest in Azad Kashmir on Friday calling for a truck service to be started between Muzaffarabad and occupied Srinagar. Around 100 people joined the demonstration in Muzaffarabad, before around three dozen took the protest to Chakothi, a small town close to the line of control.
They were blocked from going any further by police. "A truck service between Muzaffarabad and occupied Srinagar must be started soon if the two governments are sincere in helping Kashmiris. Otherwise we are right in believing that they are paying lip service to us," said Farooq Niazi, one of the demonstrators.
The protesters belonged to the All Parties Nationalist Alliance. Residents in Chakothi said the protesters made speeches calling on India and Pakistan to let Kashmir become an independent nation. Several rounds of talks were held and the two sides have exchanged lists of items to be traded, but traders have been left waiting for the service to start.