India ready to open Kashmir camps

The Indian army says it can airlift supplies to the LoC

India says it is prepared to open relief camps for earthquake survivors from the Pakistani side of Kashmir as early as Tuesday, Indian officials say.

Both countries are examining proposals which would allow survivors to cross the Line of Control which divides the fiercely disputed mountain region.

On Saturday India said it had offered to open relief centres at three points along the Line of Control.

The earthquake killed more than 50,000 and made up to three million homeless.

India and Pakistan have fought two wars over Kashmir, and relations between the two sides remain tense over the area.

An Indian defence ministry spokesman told the BBC News website that Delhi can operate the relief camps despite damage to roads and bridges in the area.

It is not a practical proposition that people (from Pakistan) should come in the morning and go back in the evening Umar Farooq, Kashmiri separatist leader Linked by phone Opening up Kashmir

"We can airlift supplies, and the mule routes are also open," Colonel VK Batra said from Srinagar.

Repairs to bridges along rivers dividing Indian- and Pakistani-administered Kashmir are also being carried out, he said.

On Saturday, an Indian foreign ministry spokesman announced a plan to open three points along the LoC where survivors from both sides of the border could meet relatives and receive medical assistance.

"Arrangements are being made for providing relief material, medical aid, food, drinking water and temporary accommodation at these points," the spokesman, Navtej Sarna, said.

"People from across the Line of Control will be allowed to come in during daylight hours after suitable screening and then return," Mr Sarna said.

Disappointed

But a Kashmiri separatist leader has said he is disappointed by India's offer.

Aid agencies say survivors need tents and medicines

Umar Farooq, leader of the All Parties Hurriyat Conference - the main separatist alliance in Indian-administered Kashmir - told the BBC the earthquake had offered a chance to dilute the LoC.

He said the Hurriyat wants free movement of people across the LoC.

"Of course, there would be checkpoints and travel documents. But it is not a practical proposition that people (from Pakistan) should come in the morning and go back in the evening."

But others said the move provided both sides an opportunity to resolve the long-standing Kashmir dispute.

"The divide between us is an artificial one," the Associated Press quotes another separatist leader, Nayeem Khan, as saying.

"This step will be the biggest confidence-building measure, one which will directly benefit Kashmiris."

Pakistan submitted a similar plan to India, which is being examined.

Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf had earlier suggested opening up the heavily militarised border to help the relief operation following the quake which struck on 8 October.

Aid agencies are worried that many more people could die in Pakistani-administered Kashmir as a result of cold weather.

They say they need more tents, emergency shelter and helicopters.