ISLAMABAD – The historic Jamia Masjid of Srinagar remains closed fordevotees since 5th August and a large number of Indian forces’ personnelare deployed in and outside the Jamia Market, in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
The people of Kashmir Valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu regioncontinue to reel under military clampdown and internet blackout on the 77thconsecutive day, reported by Kashmir Media Service.
People particularly patients and doctors are facing difficulties inreaching the hospitals in the absence of public transport.
Shops and other business establishments continue to remain shut most of thetime as a silent protest against India’s brutal actions in the territory.Students continue to stay away from their classes despite the Indiangovernment has announced to open the educational institutions.
A Hong Kong-based English daily South China Morning Post in its articlesays that Kashmir feels like it is at risk of exploding at any time, afterIndia announced the revocation of its special status on 5th August. It saysthat normal life is non-existent for civilians in the occupied territory.
The newspaper maintained that there is a feeling of vulnerability, fear andhopelessness among the journalists of Kashmir.Meanwhile, civil society members gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi toprotest against the continued lockdown in Kashmir.
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The protesters released a citizens’ statement in opposition to the Indiangovernment’s move and said no steps should be taken about the future ofJammu and Kashmir without the consent of the people. They demandedrestoration of the pre-August 5 position in the territory.
A documentary titled ‘Forced labour under the largest democracy’ wasreleased during an event in New Delhi. The director of the film, ShafkatRaina briefed the audience about the nature of forced labour that wasconducted by the Indian troops in Kashmir during the ’90s. He also informedthe audience about the circumstances and the negative effects that thisforced labour had on the psyche and life of the Kashmiri victims.
He said the forced labour is still prevalent in many areas of Kashmirincluding Pulwama district wherein Indian troops confiscate the vehiclesfrom the drivers and later use them for encounters and night raids.
Members of the Kashmiri community, their friends and well-wishers held a‘Kashmir Freedom March’ in Southampton, UK, to raise awareness of theviolations of human rights in occupied Kashmir. The protesters of all agesshowed their support for the people of the territory with flags andplacards stating “Time for the UN to act for Kashmir” and “India stoptorture in occupied Kashmir”.
