Thursday, March 28, 2024
ADVT 
India

Clashes, Shutdown As EU MPs Reach Kashmir To Assess Ground Situation

Darpan News Desk IANS, 29 Oct, 2019 07:33 PM

    A delegation of 23 EU MPs, on a two-day visit to assess the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, arrived here on Tuesday to a complete shutdown and clashes between people and security forces in several parts of the city and the Valley.


    A convoy of security vehicles escorted the MPs, who were travelling in bullet-proof jeeps, from the airport to their hotel where a traditional Kashmiri welcome awaited them.


    The team was briefed by senior security officials on the situation in the Valley and other parts of Jammu and Kashmir and also met delegations of the general public.


    There was a complete shutdown in the city and at least four people were injured in numerous clashes between protesters and security forces in various parts of the Valley and in Srinagar, officials said.


    People put up blockades in at least five different places in Srinagar, including Downtown Srinagar and 90 Feet Road. Shops and business establishments were closed and transport off the roads due to the clashes.


    Vendors, who had been setting up their stall over the past weeks, also did not turn up on Tuesday, officials said. However, board examinations for Class 10 were held on schedule with worried parents waiting outside exam halls for their children.


    The 23 EU MPs are the first high-level foreign visitors to Kashmir after the August 5 decision of the Centre to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status under Article 370 and bifurcate the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.


    The team originally comprised 27 parliamentarians, many from extreme right or right wing parties, but four did not travel to Kashmir and have reportedly returned to their respective countries, officials said without divulging any reason.


    On Monday, the members of the European Parliament met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. While welcoming the MPs to India, he “expressed the hope that they have a fruitful visit to various parts of the country, including to Jammu and Kashmir”.


    “Their visit to Jammu and Kashmir should give the delegation a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of the region of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, apart from giving them a clear view of the development and government priorities of the region,” a PMO statement said.


    National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who hosted a lunch for the 27 visitors, also gave them an overview of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.


    A few weeks ago, a senator of the United States was denied permission to visit Kashmir.


    A joint delegation of opposition MPs, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, undertaking a visit to Kashmir about two months ago, was not allowed to go beyond the Srinagar airport after their arrival from Delhi and were sent back to the national capital.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Haryana: Bull Eats 40 Grams Of Gold Ornaments In Sirsa, Family Waits For It To Excrete Its Gold Jewellery

    A bull ate about 40 grams of gold ornaments that belonged to a woman living in Kalanawali area in Haryana's Sirsa.

    Haryana: Bull Eats 40 Grams Of Gold Ornaments In Sirsa, Family Waits For It To Excrete Its Gold Jewellery

    Tug-Of-War Over Prakash Purb Of Guru Nanak Celebrations In Punjab

    Tug-Of-War Over Prakash Purb Of Guru Nanak Celebrations In Punjab
    Congress-ruled state wants to take full credit for the celebrations that will see the presence of Home Minister Amit Shah and President Ram Nath Kovind. However, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) is eyeing to take a political mileage

    Tug-Of-War Over Prakash Purb Of Guru Nanak Celebrations In Punjab

    Modi To Address Public After Kartarpur Corridor Inauguration

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address a public gathering at Dera Baba Nanak in Punjab's Gurdaspur after inauguration of Kartarpur Corridor on November 9, say sources in the union home ministry.

    Modi To Address Public After Kartarpur Corridor Inauguration

    6 Labourers From Bengal Shot Dead By Terrorists In South Kashmir’s Kulgam

    Six non-local labourers were shot dead by militants on Tuesday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district. All six were from West Bengal, police sources said.

    6 Labourers From Bengal Shot Dead By Terrorists In South Kashmir’s Kulgam

    Terror Attack: 19 Civilians Injured In Kashmir's Sopore, Six Critical

    At least 19 people have been injured in the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Sopore and the condition of six of them is critical, Army sources said on Monday.

    Terror Attack: 19 Civilians Injured In Kashmir's Sopore, Six Critical

    Congress Wants Bhagat Singh To Be Bestowed With Bharat Ratna

    Congress Wants Bhagat Singh To Be Bestowed With Bharat Ratna
    With the BJP raking up the demand for awarding the Bharat Ratna to Veer Savarkar, the Congress has countered it by seeking the country's highest civilian award to Bhagat Singh, Sukhdev and Rajguru.

    Congress Wants Bhagat Singh To Be Bestowed With Bharat Ratna

    PrevNext