In a major relief to divided Kashmiri families on both sides of the Line of Control, India and Pakistan on Wednesday allowed meetings and crossing over of people at the five relief points opened by the two countries to exchange relief for earthquake victims from November 24.

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This was stated by Indian and Pakistani officials in Silikote near LoC at the opening of the fifth and final relief point on Wednesday afternoon.

Additional Commissioner (Kashmir) Dilshada Khan, Uri Relief Commissioner Bashir Ahmed Runiyal and PoK top official Shakeel Khan said the two sides had agreed to allow people to meet and cross over to either side from November 24, subject to completion of formalities.

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"We have received 100 applications from those who want to know the welfare of their relatives living on the Indian side,"  Shakeel Khan, Assistant Director of Social Welfare in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, told reporters.       

He, however, blamed the Indian government for the delay in allowing meetings at the five points, a charge strongly denied by Runiyal and Dilshada.

They said November 24 had been fixed for exchange of relief as well as crossing over of people subject to completion of formalities.

Runiyal said, "Those who apply and complete formalities can go and meet their relatives across the LoC. There is no bar on anyone to apply."

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