Opposition parties slam govt over 'guided tour' of envoys to J&K

Opposition parties criticised government on Thursday over what y described as a "guided tour" of foreign envoys to Jammu and Kashmir and said BJP-led regime was adopting double standards by t allowing Indian politicians to visit region.

Congress launched a broadside against government hours after envoys of 15 countries, including United States Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster, arrived in Srinagar on a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir, first by diplomats since August last year when n state's special status was revoked and it was split into two Union territories.

" government is adopting double standards by allowing foreign envoys to visit Jammu and Kashmir, but t Indian politicians," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said at a press conference.

He, however, clarified that Congress was t opposed to such visits, but Indian politicians should also be allowed to visit region.

Communist Party of India (CPI) general secretary D Raja said "red carpet" welcome to envoys could "absolve" government of "crimes y have committed" in Jammu and Kashmir as he hit out at Centre over visit of ambassadors, while denying entry to region to Indian MPs after abrogation of Article 370 of Constitution.

"What government has done is disrespecting India's Parliament, its political parties, its people and its democracy. While government is saying that everything is rmal re, region in reality is under siege. We demand that if situation is rmal, n every political detainee should be released immediately.

" red-carpet welcome to some envoys can absolve government of crimes y have committed in Jammu and Kashmir," he said.

government, however, said objective of taking foreign envoys to Kashmir was to help m see efforts to bring back rmalcy in Valley after abrogation of Article 370 and rejected criticism that visit was akin to a guided tour.

Congress accused government of "adopting double standards" by organising "guided tours" to Jammu and Kashmir for foreign envoys, but t allowing Indian politicians to visit Union territories.

Besides US, group comprised envoys of South Korea, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Fiji, Maldives, rway, Philippines, Morocco, Argentina, Peru, Niger, Nigeria, Guyana and Togo, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

" objective of visit is for envoys to see efforts being made by government to bring situation to rmal and see first-hand impact of series of steps taken by local administration to rmalise situation in recent weeks," he said.

Ramesh said this was second such attempt by government, after one planned for EU parliamentarians on October 29 last year.

At that time, after facing criticism, government had to say it was an informal visit and t an official one, Congress leader said.

"We do t oppose this visit of foreign envoys. But when our own politicians are t allowed to go to Jammu and Kashmir to meet people re, what is purpose of taking foreign envoys re?," he asked.

Ramesh pointed out that three former Jammu and Kashmir chief ministers were still under house arrest and ar former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister, who is also leader of opposition in Rajya Sabha, Ghulam Nabi Azad, had to seek Supreme Court's permission to visit Union territory.

When a parliamentary delegation, opposition leaders, a former Congress president and CPI(M) general secretary could t go to Jammu and Kashmir, n what was purpose of taking foreign envoys re, Congress leader asked.

"We demand government to allow an unfettered access to Jammu and Kashmir to all politicians and t resort to guided tours for envoys," he said.

Congress wanted meaningful political activity to start in Jammu and Kashmir immediately and "political tourism" for foreign envoys to stop, Ramesh said, adding, "It is important to stop such guided tours."

"In last five months, meaningful political activity has taken place in Jammu and Kashmir. Political tourism of taking envoys to Jammu and Kashmir should stop," he said.

National Conference (NC) issued a statement, saying it was disappointed with way foreign envoys were brought to Valley to endorse Centre's claims about rmalcy in region.

" party wishes to ask se envoys that if situation is rmal, why are scores of people, including former chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti and Omar Abdullah, under detention for last 160 days," it said.

People's Democratic Party (PDP) said visit of foreign envoys was an attempt by government to "rmalise its clampdown" in Valley and dared Centre to allow dignitaries to meet detained political leaders.

"Today that @PMOIndia lets a 2nd batch of envoys to "see" situation in #Kashmir, it only seems like an attempt to rmalize Govt's own clampdown. dare is on @PMOIndia will y ever let se Foreign Envoys meet political detainees who are jailed since 160 days w?," it said on its official Twitter handle.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh said Indian MPs should be allowed to visit Kashmir before foreign envoys.