EU MPs end Valley tour amid criticism by Oppn

Article 370 is India’s internal matter, says the delegation

SRINAGAR/NEWDELHI: A controversial visit by 23 European lawmakers to Kashmir ended on Wednesday with the group backing India in its fight against terror even as criticism mounted over the trip’s obscure organiser and complaints that the delegation had not met genuine representatives of the people.

The group said Article 370, which bestowed special status on Jammu & Kashmir and was scrapped on August 5 by New Delhi, was India’s internal matter and that the lawmakers were more concerned about terrorism.

“What concerns us is terrorism which is a global menace and we should stand with India in fighting it,” said Henri Malosse, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from France, also condemning the killing of six migrant workers in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Tuesday after the delegation reached the region.

Newton Dunn from the United Kingdom described the visit as an “eye-opener”.

“We belong to a place — Europe — which is peaceful after years of fighting. And we want to see India becoming the most peaceful country in the world. And for that we need to stand by India in its fight against global terrorism. This visit has been an eye opener and we would definitely advocate what we have seen on Ground Zero,” he told reporters.

India will find it difficult to end terrorism in the Valley because of Pakistan, but if scrapping of the special status of Jammu & Kashmir brings development to the region and a “better life” for its people, it is worth giving it a try, Malosse said.

Another MEP, Nicolaus Fest from Germany, struck a discordant note and said the government should allow Indian opposition members to visit Kashmir as well if it was willing to permit EU parliamentarians to travel to the region, echoing criticism by leaders of the Congress and other parties.