Foreign envoys arrive in Kashmir today

Will assess dev work, security situation; meet LG, DDC, panchayat members

Srinagar: Foreign envoys from different countries will arrive here on a two-day visit to assess the development work and the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Official sources said that the envoys from Africa and Europe will arrive here on Wednesday for a two-day visit during which they will assess the situation post abrogation of special status of J&K in August 2019 and successful completion of District Development Council (DDC) polls in December 2020.

They said the envoys will be briefed about over all law and order situation in the valley and security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) and international border with Pakistan.

“The envoys will meet different delegations in Kashmir on Wednesday while on Thursday they will interact with representatives from different social groups,” they said.

They said the envoys will also meet Lt Governor Manoj Sinha, besides some DDC and panchayat members.

Envoys from 17 nations, including the US, visited Jammu and Kashmir last year while a delegation of 23 European Union MPs visited the Union Territory three months after the centre abrogated Article 370 and Article 35 A, besides divided the erstwhile state into two Union Territories.

However, Mehbooba said that the visit has been tailored by the centre as the envoys would be allowed to meet selected people.

“If the centre actually wants to show the foreign dignitaries the real situation in J&K, they would allow the envoys to meet everyone,” Mehbooba said.

She said everyone is welcomed to visit Kashmir, but restrictions should not be put on the movement of local leaders.

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