Srinagar: A group of envoys including those from several European Union countries and a few OIC member states on Wednesday began a two-day visit to Jammu and Kashmir amid shutdown in most of Srinagar city and other areas of Kashmir valley . As reported already they plan to take a first-hand account of the situation in Jammu & Kashmir after the recently-concluded local body elections.
The envoys which has representation from four Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) — Malaysia, Bangladesh, Senegal and Tajikistan — were taken to Magam in central Kashmir amid heightened security arrangements in the city and elsewhere in the Valley, officials said here.
Other envoys included in this delegation were from Brazil, Italy, Finland, Cuba, Chile, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Kyrgyzstan, Ireland, Ghana, Estonia, Bolivia, Malawi, Eritrea and Ivory Coast.This is the third delegation that has arrived in Jammu and Kashmir since the government abrogated the erstwhile state’s special status on August 5, 2019 and bifurcated it into two union territories by carving out Ladakh.
Parts of Srinagar city and several other areas of Kashmir valley observed a shutdown to mark the arrival of the envoys’ delegation to Jammu and Kashmir. Shops in Lal Chowk and surrounding areas of the city, Budgam and Magam town of central Kashmir’s Budgam district remained shut as authorities deployed extra security personnel to ensure that the visit of the envoys passes off without any incident.However, the traffic was normal on the roads.
In Magam, the envoys went to a college and were received in a traditional way and after the customary rituals by the administration, they interacted with the locals.It was a free-flowing exchange of ideas by the delegation with the locals, the officials said.
Chairperson of DDC Budgam Nazir Ahmad, who interacted with the envoys, told reporters that he raised the need for the government to provide basic amenities like food, clothing shelter, electricity and good roads. “Budgam is a downtrodden district which needs development. Our discussion was centered around it,” Ahmad added. It may be mentioned here that election of DDC Chairman Budgam has been already challenged by National Conference which won majority of the DDC seats in the recently held DDC election in Budgam District. Nazir Ahmad has significantly lost all the assembly elections he fought as candidates of Congress, National Conference and PDP in his over one decade political carear.
Later, the delegation was taken to a hotel located along the famous Dal lake where they interacted with Mayor of Srinagar, chairpersons of just-formed District Development Councils, Block Development Councils and Municipal Councils from all parties.The delegation was apprised of the government’s initiative of ensuring democracy at grass-root level and strengthening of panchayats in Jammu and Kashmir by giving them financial powers.
It may be mentioned here that curbs on Internet were removed earlier this month and the speed was enhanced from existing 2G to 4G.During their stay in the Valley, the delegation members will visit the revered Hazratbal shrine on the banks of Dal Lake besides meeting artisans.The delegation is scheduled to visit Jammu on Thursday where they are likely to meet the officials of the Jammu & Kashmir Government and call on Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
