The 27-member EU parliamentary delegation arrived at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday, October 29. The EU parliamentarians will be allowed to visit Srinagar only while their visit to Kupwara region has been cancelled.
This is the first visit by a foreign delegation to Jammu and Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35(A) - that give the state a host of special rights. The MPs will be staying in Hotel Lalit where they will meet civil society members and Governor and his advisors. The MPs will also visit Dal Lake.
However, the MPs visiting J&K are from far-right parties. Only three of the 27 MPs belong to the Left or liberal parties. Six French MPs are from Le Pen's National Front, all six Polish MPs are from the ruling far-right party and four British MPs are from the Brexit party.
While the Narendra Modi-led BJP government has maintained its narrative on scrapping Article 370, it wants to give an international body to see the ground situation in Kashmir themselves. Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with the EU parliamentary panel and told them that urgent action is needed against those supporting and also sponsoring terrorism. PM Modi hoped that the visit of the foreign leaders to J&K will give them a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity in J&K and Ladakh.
Stone pelting reported in South Kashmir and SrinagarAhead of the first foreign delegation visit to Kashmir after the abrogation of article 370, there were reports of stone pelting from areas of South Kashmir and Srinagar. The panel will be given a presentation by the Jammu and Kashmir administration. The J&K Police will also brief the delegation about the security situation in the Kashmir Valley.
Will find out what's happening on ground in Kashmir: European MPNathan Gill, Member of the European Parliament from Wales, said, "It is a good opportunity for us to visit Kashmir as a foreign delegation and be able to see firsthand for ourselves what is happening on the ground."
Delegation of European Union MPs visiting Jammu and Kashmir will be briefed by security forces in the 15 Corps Headquarters in Srinagar on Tuesday.
EU MPs suffering from Islamophobia visits Kashmir: Owasi tweetsAIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi questioned the NDA government for allowing the EU parliamentary delegation to visit Kashmir. Owaisi also said that the MPs who suffer from Islamophobia are going to visit the Valley.
"Fantastic Choice of MEPs who suffer from a disease -Islamophobia (Nazi lovers)are going to Muslim majority Valley ,sure people will welcome them by "Ware Paeth Khoshh Paeth"
Gairon pe karam apano pe sitam, ai jaan-e-vafaa ye zulm na kar
rahane de abhi thodaa saa dharam," tweeted the AIMIM leader.
- Meeting with J&K Governor
- Briefing by 15 Corps Commander
- Meeting with Jammu and Kashmir Police
- Meeting with civil society members
- Interaction with officials from BDC
- Meeting with Panchayat representatives
- Enjoy Shikara ride in Dal Lake
The delegation of European Union MPs arrives at Srinagar in Jammu and Kashmir. Check visuals:
