Published 14:45 IST, October 28th 2019
Dr Swamy slams EU delegation's J&K visit: 'perversion of nat'l policy'
BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy, on Monday, has expressed his surprise at the Centre's approval on the visit, calling it a 'perversion of nat'l policy'
As 28 European parliamentarians are set to visit Jammu-Kashmir, BJP Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Subramanian Swamy, on Monday, has expressed his surprise at the Centre's approval on the visit. He tweeted that the Government has arranged the visit for European Union MPs in their private capacity which is against our national policy. He urged the government to cancel the vist to the area as it is immoral.
Dr. Swamy slams the European parliamentarians' visit to J&K
European parliaments to visit Kashmir
Earlier in the day, a Kashmir delegation from the European Parliament was approved by the Centre will visit Kashmir. Sources informed that the 28-member EU delegation has met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on Monday in Delhi. This is the first time that India has allowed an international delegation to visit Kashmir after the revocation of Article 370 on August 5 this year. This development comes after the UK's Labour Party's resolution on Kashmir condemning the abrogation of Article 370 was met with stiff disapproval from its own members and other European parliamentarians. Meanwhile, the state is preparing for the official day of bifurcation of Jammu-Kashmir into two UTs namely - Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh on October 31.
PMO statement on EU visit
Meanwhile, the PMO released an official statement of the meeting which said that the Prime Minister appreciated the importance the Parliamentarians their attachment to India. He said that India's relation with the European Union is based on shared interests and common commitment to democratic values. PM Modi also expressed his hope that the delegation's Jammu and Kashmir visit will be fruitful. He also mentioned the success of key programmes of the Government including Swachh Bharat and Ayushman Bharat.
Current situation of Kashmir
The Centre has stated that the situation in Kashmir is slowly being restored back to normalcy. Sources report that in Anantnag there has been almost 50% vehicular movement as per usual. Sources also report that 10-20% of the shops in the district have been opened. While traffic has been seen increasing in the Valley, public transport is still not functional, as informed by authorities. While landline connections have been restored completely, internet and cell connections too have been restored to most parts of the Valley, according to Kashmir administration. Postpaid connections too have been restored in the Valley. Schools have also opened in the Valley and attendance has been gradually rising. The state administration has been giving regular reports about medical facilities functional in the Valley. India has maintained its stance that the abrogation of Article 370 is internal and issues of Kashmir will be solved bilaterally with Pakistan.
Updated 15:23 IST, October 28th 2019