European Union lawmakers visit Srinagar to assess ground situation

This is the first visit of any delegation after Centre revoked Article 370 and 35 A on August 5, evoking massive reaction from people in Kashmir, who are observing strike for the 86th day on Tuesday.

Out of these EU lawmakers, only three are from Left Wing , rest are from Right Wing and are known for their views about Muslims.

However, the move has invited sharp criticism from the opposition parties as several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, have asked why a foreign delegation is being allowed to visit the state, when even Indian Parliamentarians were not permitted to visit the valley.

The delegation members before leaving for Kashmir said in New Delhi that they wanted to see the ground situation in Kashmir valley themselves.

Official sources said delegation will visit headquarters of 15 Corps at Badami Bagh Cantonment to get briefing from senior Army officers about the situation in the valley and on the Line of Control (LoC), where daily ceasefire violation by Pakistani troops has become a routine.

They told UNI the delegation originally consisted of 27 members, but four of them returned to their respective countries.

The delegation is scheduled to meet some traders and houseboat owners in the evening. However, the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce (KCC) said no invitation from the EU delegation has been received.

Sources said some newly appointed Block Development Commission (BDC) members besides panches and sarpanches are likely to meet the EU MPs.

They said some leaders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are also meeting the delegation members. However, PDP has distanced itself for authorising anyone from the party to meet the EU MPs.

Meanwhile, opposition questioned the Centre's decision to allow EU delegation to visit Kashmir valley while leaders of different mainstream political parties, including Congress, were not allowed to leave the Srinagar International Airport and sent back to Delhi via next flight.

“MPs from Europe are welcome to go on a guided tour of Jammu & Kashmir while Indian MPs are banned & denied entry,” Rahul Gandhi said in his tweet.

The daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, Ms Iltija Mufti said the EU delegation members should be allowed to meet common people on streets, detained leaders of different political parties, lawyers and media persons.

Although political leaders, particularly those who are still free, in the valley remained silent and did not issue any statement on the visit of EU delegation, senior leaders of Congress and other political parties in Delhi and Jammu questioned the Government of India (GoI) decision to sponsor such a visit to Kashmir when local leaders are still barred from visiting the part of the country.

The delegation on a private visit was briefed by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval about the situation in the Kashmir valley after the special status of the state was withdrawn.

The delegation also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi on Monday before starting their two-day Kashmir visit from Tuesday.

“Our senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Ghulam Nabi Azad, besides leaders of different other political parties were sent back from Srinagar airport,” Congress alleged.

It was further alleged that Azad was not even allowed to visit his family members in Kashmir and Jammu. However, he was later allowed to visit Srinagar, Anantnag and Baramulla following Supreme Court order.

Iltija Mufti said she had approached the EU Embassy officials in New Delhi for a meeting with the delegation. But, she said, ‘I was told that it was a private visit of the delegation and they have nothing to do with it’.

“Let the government allow the delegation to meet leaders, including three former Chief Ministers—Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti… besides leaders detained in SKICC for the past three months," she said.

Image: UNI