February 21, 2007	Wednesday	Safar 3, 1428

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LAHORE, Feb 20: Around 40 relatives of the victims of Samjhota Express tragedy were granted visas by Indian authorities in Lahore on Tuesday.

The Indian High Commission in Islamabad set up a makeshift office at a Davis Road hotel to grant 10-day emergency visas for Panipat, Ambala and Delhi, enabling the relatives to find their missing kin, identify the dead and look after the injured.

“Arrangements have been made by the Indian authorities to take these people to the three cities across the borders,” MK Mufti from the Indian High Commission said.

“A visa-holder can enter India by road or through train. We are only refusing visas to children and aged people,” Mufti said.

Strict security arrangements have been made at the hotel where the Indian visa office is set up. No visitor is allowed to enter the premises without a thorough body search.

Officials at the Wagah check post said that most visa holders preferred crossing on foot during the day. “People going there are very upset. A man forgot his spectacles while another left his watch here,” one border official said.

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