SRINAGAR –Humanitarian crisis worsens in Occupied Kashmir under military siege of Indian Army.
Indian occupied Kashmir remains under strict military siege on the 35th consecutive day with more than 10 million people cut off from the entire world under Modi regime, which had on Aug. 5 unilaterally abrogated articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution via a rushed presidential decree, stripping Kashmiris of their special rights.
According to *Kashmir Media Service*, the humanitarian crisis has worsened as Pakistan awaits resolution of Kashmir dispute with India under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
Forcefully tightening its grip on the Himalayan region, India has been violating basic human rights and freedom of speech and expression, including curbs on Muharram processions and performing religious activities, fearing that these gatherings could turn into anti-India demonstrations.
Yesterday, Indian troops used pellet guns, canes and teargas shells on a Muharram procession at Hassnabad area in Srinagar. Several mourners, including a photojournalist sustained critical pellet shots. The camera of a journalist was broken by police in their efforts to stop the coverage of the procession. Three journalists who were tortured included Shahid Khan, Mubashir Dar and Bilal Bhat.
Besides, India has restricted Muslims from offering Juma prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid and other big mosques of the valley.
Traditionally on 8th and 10th of Muharram, huge processions used to be taken out from different areas of Srinagar and other parts of the valley to pay rich tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) – the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – and his companions who were martyred in Karbala. However, the occupation authorities imposed ban on these processions in the territory in 1989.