Staff Reporter / New Delhi
Government of India has allowed a 30-member team of European Union to visit Kashmir on Tuesday even as normal life continues to remain affected in the Valley since August 5.
According to sources, 30 members of the panel, who arrived in India on Sunday, will be briefed by top officials on-ground situation in Kashmir. They will meet residents and owners of the boats in Dal lake. A source said that the visit was an “unofficial” one, and the members have organised it “in a personal capacity”. The members on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and NSA Ajit Doval.
There should be zero tolerance for terrorism, Modi told the delegation that had called on him. Expressing hope that the parliamentarians’ visit to various parts of the country will be fruitful, Modi said the visit to Jammu and Kashmir should give them a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of the regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office said.
The prime minister also hoped that it will give them a clear view of the development and governance priorities of the region, it said. Without naming any country, Modi said urgent action is required against all those who support or sponsor terror activities and use terrorism as a state policy.
Reacting to the development, former CM Mehbooba Mufti hoped that the iron curtain between Kashmir the world is lifted. She said that the Indian government must be held accountable for “pushing Jammu and Kashmir into turmoil”.