Chris Davies said that his invite to Kashmir was eventually cancelled on the October 10 and has not been contacted since. (Photo: Facebook/ChrisDaviesLibDem)

A European Union MP was allegedly uninvited from visiting Kashmir after he expressed the desire to "travel freely, unaccompanied".

Chris Davies, Member of the European Parliament for North West England, was a part of the group of EU MPs who were invited to visit Kashmir to see the situation on the ground.

Davies was invited by a Women's Economic and Social Think Tank (WESTT)to meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 28 and then continue his journey to Kashmir ending with a press conference on the October 30 but was uninvited the day after the invitation was extended.



Responding to India Today's TV email query, Chris Davies said, "On October 8, I told WESTT that I was happy to accept the invitation on the condition that during my time in Kashmir, I would be free to go wherever I wish, and talk to whoever I wish, unaccompanied by military, police or security forces but accompanied by journalists."

In a detailed response to India Today TV's query later, the MEP said he would rather not be part of "a PR stunt for the Modi government".

"I am not prepared to take part in a PR stunt for the Modi government and pretend that all is well. It is very clear that democratic principles are being subverted in Kashmir, and the world needs to start taking notice.

"What is it that the Indian government has to hide? Why will it not give journalists and visiting politicians free access to speak with local people?" Chris Davies said.

The Conservative MEP said that he had an electorate that is associated to Kashmir and he needs to make sure that their voices are heard.

"I fear that this is not going to end well. Governments do not win the hearts and minds of people by taking away their freedoms and imposing military rule. The risk of a violent backlash is all too evident, he said.

FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES ON THE EU MPs' KASHMIR VISIT HERE

He further said that he was told that flight and accommodation costs will be paid by the 'International Institute for Non-Aligned Studies'.



Chris Davies said that his invite to Kashmir was eventually cancelled on October 10 and has not been contacted since.

He told India Today TV that he was not aware of the organisations before he was contacted for the trip.

India Today TV has contacted WESTT for a statement.

23 EU MPs visit Kashmir

A delegation of 23 European Union MPs arrived here on Tuesday for a first-hand assessment of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir following the revocation of the state's special status under Article 370.

During the two-day visit, the EU MPs will be briefed by government officials on the situation in the Valley as well as other parts of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.

The team is also likely to meet a cross-section of people.

The team originally comprised 27 parliamentarians, mostly from the extreme right or right-wing parties, but four did not travel to Kashmir and have reportedly returned to their respective countries, officials said.

This is the first high-level foreign delegation visiting Kashmir after the August 5 decision of the Central government announcing the abrogation of provisions of Article 370 and the decision to bifurcate the state into the union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

There was a complete shutdown in the city and at least four people were injured in clashes between protesters and security forces in various parts of the Valley and in Srinagar, officials said.

On Monday, the members of the European Parliament met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. While welcoming the MPs to India, he "expressed the hope that they have a fruitful visit to various parts of the country, including to Jammu and Kashmir".

"Their visit to Jammu and Kashmir should give the delegation a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity of the region of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh, apart from giving them a clear view of the development and government priorities of the region," a PMO statement said.

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, who hosted a lunch for the visitors, also gave them an overview of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

A few weeks ago, a senator of the United States was denied permission to visit Kashmir.

A joint delegation of opposition MPs, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, undertaking a visit to Kashmir about two months ago, was not allowed to go beyond the Srinagar airport after their arrival from Delhi and were sent back to the national capital.