ISLAMABAD – In occupied Kashmir, people held forceful demonstrations indifferent areas, today, to show their resentment against Indian occupationand division of Kashmir into two union territories by India.
After Juma congregational prayers, people took to the streets in Srinagar,Badgam, Ganderbal, Islamabad, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian, Bandipora,Baramulla, Kupwara and other areas of the occupied territory and shoutedhigh-pitched pro-freedom and anti-India slogans.
Indian troops and police personnel used brute forces against the protestersat many places, injuring several of them.
Meanwhile, inhuman Indian military lockdown entered 103rd running day,today in Kashmir Valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu and Ladakhregions.
The ban on internet, text messaging and prepaid mobile connections is stillin force.
People in Kashmir Valley continue to observe civil disobedience against NewDelhi’s anti-Kashmir moves by not attending educational institutions andoffices as well as keeping their shops closed for most part of the day.
In a statement, Jammu and Kashmir Seerat Committee, Kishtwar stronglycondemned the arrest of Chairman of the organisation, Maulana Abdul Qayoomby Indian troops.
Maulana Qayoom was arrested by the troops along with his associate, NaseerAhmed Baghwan from Kishtwar town on last Saturday.
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On the other hand, during a Congressional hearing on human rights organizedby Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission
US lawmakers, once again, expressed concerns over continued restrictions,detentions and curbs on religious freedom in occupied Kashmir.
At the hearing, Indian-American Congresswoman and Democrat, Pramila Jayapalexpressed deep concern over Indian government’s actions in Kashmirincluding detaining people without charge, severely limiting communicationsand blocking third parties from visiting.
She was joined by other Democrats, Sheila Jackson Lee, David Trone andDavid Cicilline as well as Arunima Bhargava, commissioner from the USCommission on International Religious Freedom who criticized New Delhi forits moves in occupied Kashmir in the aftermath of abrogation of specialstatus of the territory.
Similar concerns were raised by a congressional hearing last month.