SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- A parliamentary delegation of European Union (EU) Tuesday visited restive Indian-controlled Kashmir to assess the ground situation, according to officials.
This is the first foreign parliamentary delegation to visit the region after New Delhi abrogated 370 of its constitution and bifurcated Indian-controlled Kashmir into two federally governed territories.
"A parliamentary delegation of EU today visited Srinagar," a police official said. "They were escorted to a private hotel where they will staying for a night."
Reports said the delegation would hold meetings with officials, army and some private delegations.
The 30-member team arrived in New Delhi on Sunday and met on Monday India Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his National Security Advisor Ajit Doval.
The visit brought about severe criticism from India's main opposition Congress party.
"If EU delegation visit to Kashmir can be facilitated by BJP Govt then why can't Indian Leaders belonging to Opposition Parties visit Kashmir? Indians have to knock door of Supreme Court to visit Kashmir and EU delegation is welcomed by PMO, Why no level playing field?" Congress spokesperson Jaiveer Shergill said.
A delegation led by Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi was denied permission to undertake visit to Indian-controlled Kashmir. Gandhi along with other lawmakers of Indian parliament were detained at Srinagar airport and sent back to New Delhi in August.
Fearing protests against eroding of special status to Indian-controlled Kashmir, authorities imposed strict restrictions and clamped communication networks. Though restrictions were eased and mobile connectivity partially restored, internet service continue to remain suspended completely. Besides this thousands of troops continue to remain deployed on the roads.
Meanwhile, normal life in the region remains paralysed. Public transport is off the roads. Students are not attending the schools and markets are still closed.
A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule has been going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.
Kashmir, a Himalayan territory divided between India and Pakistan is claimed by both in its entirety. The two countries have fought three wars, two exclusively over Kashmir.
