SRINAGAR:  The group of 23 European Union MPs who are in Jammu and Kashmir will "fully support India in its efforts for lasting peace and end of terror", one of thev isiting leaders said this morning as they addressed select members of the media, which excludes local Kashmiri news outlets. The international delegation had meetings with army officials and were taken on a shikara ride on the Dal Lake on Tuesday as they visited Jammu and Kashmir under heavy security and as hutdown in parts of the state.. This is the first time an international team has been allowed in Jammu and Kashmir since the government ended its special status and split it into two union territories in August. The opposition has questioned how foreign MPs have been allowed in the state when politicians in India have been denied the opportunity.

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"We, the international delegation, fully support Indiain its efforts for lasting peace and end of terror... We thank the Indiangovernment and the local administration for their warm hospitality," oneof the MPs said.

The MPs travelled in bullet-proof vehicles with a securityconvoy as they were taken from the airport in Srinagar to a luxury hotel in thecity. The lawmakers are mainly from far-right parties; only three of the 27 MPsbelong to the Left or liberal parties. All of them are visiting India in theirprivate capacity.

After a traditional Kashmiri welcome, the European lawmakerswere briefed by Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary BVR Subrahmanyam and policechief Dilbag Singh. The team also interacted with some newly-elected panchayatmembers and councillors. Visuals showed the group driving through desertedroads of Srinagar, their drive taking them past four detention facilities wheredozens of politicians including three former Chief Ministers have beendetained.

Many alleged that no prominent civil society group, tradebody or mainstream Kashmiri political party could meet the EU lawmakers. TwoMPs of National Conference said they were blocked from meeting the group.

The visit ended with a trip to Dal Lake, Srinagar's mostprominent tourist draw, where the MPs were seen taking a boat ride. PTIreported that the boating took place near the Centaur Hotel, where more than 30politicians and activists have been under detention since August 5.

Four of the 27 lawmakers dropped out of the visit and flewback to their countries. Ahead of the visit, Thierry Mariani, a Euro MP forFrance's far-right National Rally, was quoted as telling Agence France-Presse(AFP), "We are going to see the situation in Kashmir, at least what theywant to show us."

Another MP, Chris Davies, claimed he was dropped from thetrip because he asked for unfettered access to people and places in Kashmir fora fair assessment. The Liberal Democrat MP said: "I am not prepared totake 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, andthe world needs to start taking notice."

The European Union parliamentarians visited Jammu andKashmir on a day when five labourers from West Bengal were killed by terroristsin Kulgam district. Another labourer was injured in the attack.

After the MPs met PM Modi on Monday, a statement from hisoffice had said, "Their visit to Jammu and Kashmir should give thedelegation a better understanding of the cultural and religious diversity ofthe region of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh; apart from giving them a clear view ofthe development and governance priorities of the region."

Opposition leaders like Rahul Gandhi have slammed the visit."I think if you let in European Union parliamentarians, you should alsolet in opposition politicians from India. So there is some kind of disbalance,the government should somehow address it," Nicolaus Fest, one of the MPswas quoted as saying by news agency ANI.