Srinagar Feb,17: Lal Chowk, the commercial nerve centre of Kashmir’s main city Srinagar, observed a shutdown on Wednesday as a delegation of foreign envoys, including ambassadors and diplomats from the European Union, arrived in the city.
Markets in the city’s central hub were shut and traffic maintained a thin movement.
Several parts of Srinagar’s downtown also remained shut while government forces’ personnel were deployed in the Nowhatta area. The security deployment was heavy and a large number of the government force’ personnel patrolled the city.
The delegation led by Ugo Astuto, an EU ambassador, arrived in Kashmir on a two-day visit and is scheduled to meet government-picked delegations.
This is the third visit of foreign envoys since the limited-autonomy of the erstwhile state was abrogated in August 2019.
Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir, called this visit a “guided tour” while the Jammu and Kashmir Ittihadul Muslimeen (JKIM) president Maulana Masroor Ansari termed the delegation’s visit to Kashmir as a “futile” move.
Meanwhile Mehbooba Mufti, former chief minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief said that the delegations will come and go but the fact remains that the situation isn’t favorable in Jammu and Kashmir.
Prior to their arrival, scores of government forces’ bunkers and barricades were dismantled across the city.
The delegation will be reportedly meeting civil society members in Budgam today and also touring Dal lake and Dargah mosque.
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