Srinagar, Jan 09 (KNS): A 17- member delegation of foreign envoys from 17 countries including US ambassador, External Affairs spokesperson today met different leaders of different political parties, civil society members, media persons, business men and other sections of society at a local hotel here.
The Political leaders who met the delegation include Syed Muhamamd Altaf Bukhari, Ghulam Hassan Mir, Rafi Mir, Abdul Rahim Rather, Javaid Ahmed Beigh, Hilal Ahmed Shah, Shoiab Lone, Abdul Majeed Paddar, Hilal Shah, Noor Muhammad
Democratic Party Nationalist Chief Ghulam Hassan Mir confirmed their meeting with foreign envoy delegation.
He said that they informed the delegation about the ground situation in J&K after abrogation of Article 370.
“We raised the issue of political prisoners including three former chief ministers. We demanded their immediate release. Keeping political leaders is against the spirit of democracy,” he said.
He added that they informed the delegation taht after abrogation of Article 370, development process has come to halt in Kashmir.
“Road connectivity which connects Kashmir with rest of India should be strengthened. Land and jobs rights of locals should be guaranteed besides restoration of statehood. We informed them how tourism, business and horticulture sector was hit with the abrogation of Article 370 besides restoration of internet services,” he told KNS.
However no leader from National Conference met the delegation.
When KNS contacted NC Spokesperson Imran Nabi, he said, “We were not invited by the Government. I don’t know what sort of interaction was this. There was no communication. They are free to come to us. Those who won parliament elections were not important for them, but those who were defeated were invited.
Sources said that the foreign envoy delegation will reach Jammu tomorrow where they have scheduled meetings with Lt. Governor, civil society members, political leaders, and businessmen.
A senior media person who was part of the meeting on the condition of Anonymity said they informed the delegation about the challenges being faced by media fraternity in absence of internet connectivity besides other issues faced by newspapers in their smooth functioning after abrogation of Article 370.
The delegates from 17 countries include USA, Vietnam, South Korea, Brazil, Uzbekistan, Niger, Nigeria, Morocco, Guyana, Argentina, Phillpines, Norway, Maldives, Fijji, Togo, Bangladesh and Peru. (KNS)