NEW DELHI – Indian government’s abusive tactics and violations of basichuman rights have increased support and recruits for militant groups inoccupied Kashmir.
This was stated by US-based human rights watchdog in its written statementto the US Congress.
Human Rights Watch pointed out that India has used excessive force torespond to protests by Kashmiris.
HRW’s Asia Advocacy Director John Sifton says Indian forces have often usedexcessive force to respond to protests, including using pellet-firingshotguns as a crowd-control weapon, which have caused several protesterdeaths and many serious injuries.
He said US officials should insist that political leaders and othersarbitrarily detained are released, that restrictions on communications arelifted, and that independent observers, including diplomats, foreignjournalists, and rights activists, are able to travel freely in Kashmir.
In occupied Kashmir, people in the Kashmir Valley continue to observe civildisobedience to protest Indian occupation and its August 5 illegal andunilateral decisions.
According to Kashmir Media Service, as part of this movement, businessactivities continue to remain suspended across the Valley except for abrief period in the morning and evening. Valley’s schools, colleges andoffices also wear a deserted look.
While public transport remains by and large off the roads in the Valley,partial movement of some passenger vehicles is seen on few routes ofSrinagar city.
On the other hand, uneasy calm and uncertainty continue to prevail in theValley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu and Ladakh regions asIndia-imposed unprecedented military lockdown and communications clampdownentered 107th running day, today. Restrictions under Section 144 areenforced amid heightened military presence.
Internet across all platforms as well as text messaging and prepaid mobileservices remain snapped. However, calls on postpaid cellular networks andlandline phones have been partially restored.
Meanwhile, Indian forces arrested four youth during a cordon and searchoperation in Arihal area of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district.
Activists from the National Panthers Party and the Congress students’ wingheld separate protests in Jammu yesterday demanding immediate restorationof the mobile internet services that remained suspended across the Jammuregion since August 5.
Four Indian soldiers and two civilian porters were killed when an avalanchehit them during a routine patrol at Siachen Glacier in Ladakh region.