Meet cross section of society to have firsthand feel
SHAH KHALID
SRINAGAR, Feb 12 : The 25-member European parliamentarians from different countries including Germany, Australia, Italy, Newzeland, Afghanistan, France, Czech, and Poland on Wednesday landed in Srinagar for a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir to assess the ground situation post abrogation of Article 370.
The visit comes after the European Union had discussed “Vote on Resolution” on Kashmir last month. The visit of European Union delegates is third foreign and second European Union member parliamentarians visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
As they arrived here, the envoys were escorted to hotel Grand Lalit under tight security cover. The delegates directly went to a luxury hotel under the shadows of Zabarwan hills in Srinagar, which is one the famous tourist destination in Srinagar.
Sources revealed to Kashmir Despatch that the envoy have vehemently refuted to be part of any extensive tour, but to meet the people of the valley so to have a first-hand assessment. But in the afternoon the EU delegates visited the Dal-Lake and later enjoyed a Shikara ride.
The previous delegation who visited Kashmir on January 09 witnessed a mixed response.
Sources revealed to Kashmir Despatch that the delegates met some mainstream leaders, industrialists, and Editors of various newspapers.
The foreign delegates expressed their concern and emphasised on creation of a conducive atmosphere in Jammu and Kashmir for peace and prosperity in the region.
The European parliamentarians will be briefed by top army commanders and civil administration about the present security situation in Jammu and Kashmir and in Jammu they will meet Lt. Governor G.C Murmu on Thursday.
However there was no confirmation whether the foreign delegates will meet the three former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir, who sre presently under detention under Public Safety Act.
The delegates were supposed to visit North Kashmir, but the programme was later cancelled due to bad weather conditions.
Sources said the Government of India is intending to call such delegations to visit Jammu and Kashmir on regular basis.
