Journalists, politicians, social activists, hoteliers meet the delegation
Srinagar: The second batch of 25 foreign envoys arrived on Wednesday morning for a two-day visit. The foreign envoy’s visit comes a month after a delegation of ambassadors visited the Union Territory in January.
The batch has 25 foreign envoys, including envoys from Germany, Canada, France, New Zealand, Mexico, Italy, Afghanistan, Austria, Uzbekistan, Poland, as well as envoys of the European Union (EU).
The visit is aimed at demonstrating measures undertaken by the government to restore normalcy in the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Sources added that top diplomat Vikas Swaroop was accompanying the delegation on Indian side.
Sources told Kashmir News Trust that envoys were received at Srinagar Airport by a host of officers including ADG Law and Order, Munir Ahmed Khan. They were taken to a hotel after which they had a shikara ride in famous Dal Lake.
Sources added that a couple of youth were founding standing with pamphlets in hands saying that government should not waste money on these tours, instead, it should address the real problem and invest money for the welfare of the people. Police swung into action and detained three youth.
Well placed sources told Kashmir News Trust that, the foreign delegation met politicians, business representatives, some people affiliated with media organizations, social activists and others during its stay at Centaur Hotel.
Those who met the foreign envoys included Congress leaders Usman Majid, Shoib Lone, BJP leaders Hina Bhat, Khalid Jahangir, Shahid Reshi, Surjit Singh from Peaks Automobile, Suhail Ahmed and Tariq Bhat from Asia News Network, social activist Muzafar Khan, Tawseef Ahmed from Handwara, South Kashmir BJP In charge Muhammad Ashraf, Irshad Naik from Kulgam, Sarpanch Fayaz Ahmed Sheikh from Kupwara, Asif Ahmed from JK Youth Society, social activist Jahangir Dar, BDC worker Majaz Ahmed Khan, social activist from Kulgam Sajad Farooq Rather, Fayaz Kaloo and 10 other journalists, representatives from Hotel Industry and some thirty workers led by recently floated JK Workers Party president Junaid Ahmed Mir.
High security has been beefed up in Srinagar and the areas around the hotel where the delegation of foreign envoys will be staying. Sources said that envoys may visit the Line of Control in Uri sector of Baramulla.
Sources said that the Army briefed the visiting diplomats on security situation in Kashmir and gave a detailed presentation of situation emerging in Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370.
According to reports, the envoys will stay for the night in Srinagar before moving to Jammu next day where they are expected to meet Lieutenant Governor GC Murmu and civil society groups.
The fresh batch of diplomats also includes representatives of the European Union. Their participation assumes significance as the EU Parliament recently initiated to bring a joint draft resolution on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and Kashmir, the vote on which was later deferred.
Last month, envoys of 15 countries including United States Ambassador to India Kenneth Juster and diplomats from Vietnam, South Korea, Brazil, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Guyana, Argentina, Philippines, Norway, Maldives, Fiji, Togo, Bangladesh and Peru had visited Jammu and Kashmir on January 9 and 10 to see first-hand efforts being made by the government in the region. (KNT)
