British MP, highly critical of IoK move, denied entry into India

Debbie Abrahams, a Member of the British Parliament and the Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Kashmir, who has been highly critical of India’s move in the occupied valley was denied entry into India, reported the Times of India.

Abrahams aide, Harpreet Upal, told the Associated Press, the MP was unable to clear customs after her valid India visa was rejected.

Upal said the immigration officials did not cite any reason for denying Abrahams entry and revoking her visa, a copy of which, valid until October 2020.

"I tried to establish why the visa had been revoked and if I could get a 'visa on arrival' but no one seemed to know," she said in the statement.

"Even the person who seemed to be in charge said he didn't know and was really sorry about what had happened. So now I am just waiting to be deported ... unless the Indian government has a change of heart. I'm prepared to let the fact that I've been treated like a criminal go, and I hope they will let me visit my family and friends."

Abrahams said, according to NDTV, when she landed around 8:50 this morning she was told by Delhi airport officials that the e-visa which was valid until October 2020 had been rejected.

"Along with everyone else, I presented myself at the immigration desk with my documents including my e-visa, had my photograph taken and then the official looked at his screen and started shaking his head. Then he told me my visa was rejected, took my passport and disappeared for about 10 minutes. When he came back he was very rude and aggressive, shouting at me to 'come with me'," said Abrahams.

"I told him not to speak to me like that and was then taken to a cordoned off area marked as a Deportee Cell. He then ordered me to sit down and I refused. I didn't know what they might do or where else they may take me, so I wanted people to see me."

The politician said she rang a relative she was supposed to stay with, and he called the British High Commission to try and find out what was going on. She also said she asked about a visa on arrival, but got no answers.

The British MP has been highly critical of the Indian government after it revoked the special status of Kashmir.

Last month the Indian government took a group of more than 20 foreign diplomats on a visit to the occupied valley, the second such trip by New Delhi since it put the valley under a lockdown six months ago.