ISLAMABAD – Two US lawmakers demand to immediately end the communicationblackout along with the release of those detained.
Two US lawmakers have expressed concerns over the situation in Kashmir, andurged US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to convince India to immediatelyend the communication blockade and release those who have been detained.
In a letter to Secretary Pompeo, Pramila Jayapal, the first and the onlyIndian-American Congresswoman in the House of Representatives, andCongressman James P McGovern said the international media and independenthuman rights observers must immediately be allowed into Jammu and Kashmir.
“We urge you to work across the Administration to press the IndianGovernment to immediately end its communications blackout of Kashmir,expedite the process of reviewing and releasing individuals’preventatively’ detained, ensure hospitals have access to life-savingmedicines and protect the rights of the Kashmiri people to freedom ofassembly and worship,” the letter states.
The two lawmakers told Mr. Pompeo that they have significant concerns aboutthe prevailing “crisis” in Kashmir.
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“In particular, we are concerned about credible reports from journalistsand advocates on the ground that the Indian government has detainedthousands of people with no recourse,” they said.
They both showed deep concern on the credible reports of a humanitariancrisis in Jammu & Kashmir and urged India to uphold basic human rights anddue process.
Restrictions were imposed in occupied Jammu and Kashmir on August 5, asIndia abrogated Article 370 ending the special status granted to Jammu andKashmir.
