Srinagar: Hitting out at BJP over Washington Post’s India bureau chief Annie Gowen’s claim that she was denied permission to report on Kashmir, former J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asked if the situation has deteriorated to such an extent that we are now afraid to let foreign correspondents report freely from Kashmir.

This, Mr Abdullah said is another crowning achievement of BJP’s Kashmir policy ably assisted by its partners in crime the PDP.

“Has the situation in Kashmir deteriorated to such an extent that we are now afraid to let foreign correspondents report freely from Kashmir? Another crowning achievement of BJP’s Kashmir policy ably assisted by its partners in crime the PDP,” Mr Abdullah, also National Conference vice-president, tweeted.

The NC VP was reacting to a tweet by ms Gowen which read, “I am in Kashmir for a day to attend a friend’s wedding. I am not reporting here because @MEAIndia and @HMOIndia have not granted the special permit now required for foreign correspondents. I applied June 22. Unacceptable delay. @rcfp @CJR @hrw @RSF_en”

The Government of India (GOI) has recently reportedly asked foreign correspondents to seek permission in writing for travelling anywhere in Jammu and Kashmir. (UNI)