Omar Abdullah, Subramanian Swamy seek MEA clarification on Norway ex-PM's meeting with Hurriyat leaders

Jammu and Kashmir's former chief minister Omar Abdullah and BJP leader Subramanian Swamy have asked the MEA to give out the facts about the Norway Ex-Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik meeting with the separatists in the northern-most state.

Media reports have said that Bondevik met with top J&K separatist leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik on November 23.

Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has also tweeted about his meeting with Bondevik, saying he had a fruitful meeting with the former Norway PM. Bondevik is the president of Oslo Centre for Peace and Human Rights.

Reacting to the reports of the meeting, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah has said that Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj and NSA chief Ajit Doval should explain the Norwegian ex-PM's visit to the state. "What are the Norwegians up to in Kashmir? Would either (Minister of External Affairs) Sushma Swarajji or NSA chief Ajit Dovalji care to put the visit of the former Norwegian PM to both sides of the divided state in the correct context or do we have to rely on rumours & conjecture?", he tweeted.

BJP leader Subramanian Swamy demanded that unless 'corrective action' is taken about the Bondevik's visit, he will demand resignation of person who initiated the visit. "Either MEA comes out with corrective action on the Norwegian ex-PM visit to J&K or I will have to demand resignation of the person in the bureaucracy who initiated this visit", he posted a tweet.

The MEA's response on the matter is awaited.