European lawmakers to visit Kashmir LIVE Updates: 27 MPs to visit Valley days ahead of bifurcation deadline; trucker's death, Sopore grenade attack raise security concerns

October 28, 2019

08:28 (IST)

Shashi Tharoor calls EU MPs' visit an "insult to democracy"


Congress leaders took to Twitter to criticise the visit by the Euopean Union MPs to Jammu and Kashmir two days ahead of the bifurcation deadline.

Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "MPs from Europe are welcome to go on a guided tour of Jammu and Kashmir while Indian MPs are banned and denied entry. There is something very wrong with that." In August, Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were turned away from the Srinagar airport when they tried to visit Jammu and Kashmir.

08:26 (IST)

Delegation of European Union MPs leaves for Delhi airport

The group is dominated by right-wing deputies from Poland, France and Britain

Ahead of the Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation act taking effect in Jammu and Kashmir on 31 October, a delegation of European Union (EU) members of Parliament (MPs) will visit the state on Tuesday. This is the first trip to the region by a foreign delegation since the abrogation of Article 370.

The group, comprising 27 MPs, will return from the state on Wednesday after the visit said aims to give deputies "a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of the region of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh".

"The delegation of MEPs is not on an official visit in India and came here at the invitation of a non-government group. We are not organising any of their meetings," an EU official in India told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity. The group is dominated by right-wing deputies from Poland, France and Britain.

Thierry Mariani, a Euro MP for France's far-right National Rally, told AFP "we are going to see the situation in Kashmir, at least what they want to show us".

Last month, the European Parliament had discussed Jammu and Kashmir, its lawmakers had expressed both support for Centre's efforts to restore normalcy and criticism for the restrictions placed on the state.

Meanwhile, at a lunch hosted by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Sunday, only three senior leaders from Jammu and Kashmir - one of them from the PDP and one from the Congress - were present. While the detentions of political leaders from Jammu and Kashmir was lifted weeks ago, around 250 mainstream political leaders from Kashmir are still under house arrest or detention.

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor and Jairam Ramesh, criticised the visit by the European Union MPs, pointing out that the Indian opposition leaders were not allowed to do so. Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders were turned away from the Srinagar airport when they tried to visit Jammu and Kashmir in August.

Process of formation of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Kadakh will begin with the swearing-in of Lieutenant Governors in Srinagar and Leh respectively. Chief Justice of Jammu and Kashmir High Court Gita Mittal will administer the oath to Girish Chandra Murmu in Srinagar and then Radha Krishma Mahur in Leh. Earlier, the Home Ministry had appointed a three-member committee to take stock of the assets and liabilities of the state. The committee is yet to submit its report.

After 31 October, 106 Central laws will be applicable to the state, along with 166 State Acts, including the Governor’s Act.



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