Wednesday, April 6 2005 13:57 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Srinagar: Militants may have issued repeated threats to them, but the desire to meet their separated loved ones is too strong to stop the people from taking the first bus to Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

At least 24 of the 29 passengers expected to travel by the two inaugural buses tomorrow (Apr 7, 2005) have already booked their tickets, ignoring threats and demonstrating a determination to make the historic effort a success.

Three passengers have opted out due to technical reasons while two are yet to report to the authorities.

Billed as the biggest Confidence-Building Measure (CBM) between India and Pakistan directly affecting the people of Jammu and Kashmir, the bus service is aimed at reuniting families of the State divided by the Line of Control (LoC) after 57 years.

"I am sure nothing is going to happen during the journey. Let us see what happens later," said 62-year-old Khalid Hussain, one of the passengers bound for Muzaffarabad.

Hussain, who is travelling to Mirpur to meet his cousin, was threatened over his mobile phone by a caller from London. Earlier, his name figured in the list of people threatened by four militant groups through a statement issued to the media.

"Threats are common in Jammu and Kashmir. We have to take these in our strides," he said.

Hussain's wife Nasreen, who is undertaking the journey along with him, too is unperturbed. "I don't worry about the threats," she said, adding, "Anyhow, everyone is going and so am I."

Hussain says his relatives in Mirpur have also heard about the threat. "But they have said we should not cancel the visit," he said.

"Threat or no threat, we have to carry on with our lives," said another Muzaffarabad-bound passenger who requested not to be identified.

He criticised the militants issuing the threats, saying they were interfering in personal lives of people for their vested interest.

"Someone is going to meet his relative. This is a human issue. Why should anybody object to it," he said.

Ask them why they don't go later rather than take the risk of travelling by the inaugural bus and one passenger says, "An opportunity has come for us to meet our relatives. Who knows whether this service will continue or not."

All the passengers, brought from various parts of the State, have been housed in a heavily-guarded tourist reception centre.

The State Government has assured foolproof security for the bus service and the travellers.

"We are taking all precautionary measures to ensure that nothing untoward happens on Thursday," J & K Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma said.

"It is a struggle between two forces - one wanting to bring about peace and normalcy through increased people-to-people contact and another wanting disturbance and unrest," he said.

He expressed confidence that the "will of the people, who want peace, will prevail and disruptive forces would be isolated and eliminated".