Clashes in Kashmir as far-right European lawmakers visit at India’s invitation

The nationalist Alternative for Germany party, France’s National Rally, the Brexit Party and Poland’s Law and Justice were all represented

India’s government said that the aim was to give the deputies ‘a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity’ of the region

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A resident walks past Indian paramilitary troopers standing guard during a lockdown in Srinagar. Photo: AFP

Published: 9:12pm, 29 Oct 2019Updated: 9:12pm, 29 Oct 2019

Dozens of clashes erupted in Indian-administered Kashmir on Tuesday, officials said, as a delegation of mostly far-right European lawmakers paid a contentious visit to the restive region stripped of its autonomy in August.

With a curfew in many parts of the main city, Srinagar, police fired tear gas and shotgun pellets as around 40 clashes flared across the Kashmir Valley, officials said.

It was unclear if there were any injuries.

Late on Monday militants also shot dead a truck driver, the sixth such killing targeting the vital apple sector, while a grenade injured 20 people elsewhere, authorities said.

A convoy of vehicles carrying European lawmakers arrives in Srinagar on Tuesday. Photo: Reuters

The delegation of around 30 European lawmakers – including far-right deputies from Poland, France, Germany and Britain – met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, prompted accusations that it aimed to blunt criticism of New Delhi over Kashmir.