WASHINGTON – India gets an embarrassing blow from the ally United Statesover the Occupied Kashmir lockdown.
Showing concerns over the current situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir(IoK), the US urged India to respect human rights and restore full accessto services in valley.
This was stated by Acting Assistant Secretary of State for South andCentral Asia Alice G Wells in a statement submitted to the Subcommittee onAsia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation of the US House Foreign AffairsCommittee.
“The US is closely monitoring the situation in the territory after India’sdecision to scrap special status on August 5,”Alice Wells said. She saidthe Valley has not returned to normal and the State Department has raisedconcerns with the Indian government regarding detentions of residents andpolitical leaders, including three former chief ministers of Jammu andKashmir.
“We have urged Indian authorities to respect human rights and restore fullaccess to services, including internet and mobile networks,” Wells said.She said both foreign and local journalists have faced challenges in accessand reporting due to security restrictions.
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Wells said exact figures are difficult to ascertain, we understand severalthousand people have been detained many without charges under the PublicSafety Act-link overthe past two months.
She said the US will continue to press India to restore everyday services,including SMS and internet communications.
