A SENIOR government minister from Kashmir praised the work of a recent fact-finding delegation from Pendle to the disputed region when he addressed a meeting in Nelson.

Choudhry Rashid, the food and livestock Minister, was chief guest at the event at the Civic Theatre, attended by more than 200 people. The visit was organised by the Pendle Kashmir Working Group, an organisation set up to establish closer links between the borough and Kashmir and to publicise the long-running fight by Kashmiris for independence.

Mr Rashid, who met the delegation during its fortnight's visit to Kashmir last month, praised the visit and said it had been a success for everyone involved.

Earlier in the day Mr Rashid met students at Edge End High School, Nelson.

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