European Union MPs Lend Support to India in War Against Terrorism

Srinagar: Hours ahead of official announcement of bifurcation of the state of J&K into 2 Union Territories of Ladakh and J&K, members of European Union (EU), who concluded their two-day long visit to Kashmir on Wednesday, said they support India in its war against terrorism as it is the largest democracy in the world.

Speaking to some media persons at Hotel Lalit Palace here, the European Union members answering a question on the mounting tension between India and Pakistan, said, “They should talk instead of fighting”. Henri Maloose of France expressed shock saying that the delegates were being labelled as “Islamophobics”, “fascists” and “racists”. He thanked the GoI for allowing them to visit Kashmir, and see things for themselves on the ground.

The delegates also expressed grief and shock over the killings of five innocent persons by terrorists in Kulgam on Tuesday. During their two-day long stay in Kashmir, the European Union members of around 24 countries got a first-hand feel of the ground situation after the abrogation of J&K’s special status. This was the first visit of any foreign parliamentarian/dignitary to Kashmir since August 5 when the special status of the state was abrogated. European Union members of the UK, Brussels, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Austria, Greece, Cyprus, Malta and others visited the Kashmir Valley and interacted with the army, civil administration, members of civil society, traders, lawyers, artisans, tour and travel operators and some politicians.

Arms and ammunition bearing Pakistani, Chinese and even American markings recovered from the militants were displayed before the delegates who took a keen interest asking questions and seeking clarifications on the security forces operations against the militants. The Army gave details of its efforts to ensure that civilian life and property are protected during anti-militancy operations in which militants were taking civilians as hostages during the encounter with the security forces.

European Union members had lunch at the Corps headquarters on Tuesday after which they left for the Hotel Lalit Palace on the banks of the Dal Lake. Members of civil society, traders, lawyers, artisans and people connected with the tourism industry called on the delegates during their stay in the hotel. Speaking to some media persons after they called on the delegations, members of various organizations said that they had conveyed their concerns over the continuing violence in the state that has dealt a death blow to the economy and the educational system of Kashmir.

People connected with the tourism industry told the delegates that because of the prevailing uncertainty and violence in Kashmir they are finding it difficult to keep the wolf away from the door. Traders, industrialists and members of the civil society also informed the delegates about the hardships faced by them because of the information clampdown which has resulted in nearly three-month-long non-availability of the Internet facility. (IANS)

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