US envoy among 17 foreign diplomats visiting Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 9 (IANS) A delegation of 17 foreign envoys reached Srinagar on Thursday to take stock of the ground situation in the Kashmir Valley. The members were taken to the Army's 15 core headquarters in Srinagar from the airport, where they would be briefed about the security situation in Kashmir by top Army commanders. Later the delegation will be meeting the members of civil society at a hotel in the city. Some politicians, including former legislators are also scheduled to meet the delegation. Purportedly, some envoys from the European Union have chosen not to be part of the delegation this time. However, according to reports the US ambassador Kenneth I. Juster is also a part of the delegation. This is the second foreign delegation visiting Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370 on August 5. In October, a European Parliamentary delegation had come to Kashmir, but questions were raised as to why an Indian parliamentary delegation was not allowed to visit the valley. Among the prominent political leaders, who are to meet the envoys are members of a group of senior politicians, who recently met the Lieutenant Governor on Tuesday in Jammu. The group led by Altaf Bukhari, a former Peoples Democratic Party minister had said: "They are looking for achievable options for reviving political activity in Kashmir and moving beyond Article 370."
--IANS zi/dpb