ISLAMABAD – Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan speech at UNGA stirs newwave of freedom in Occupied Kashmir youth.
Authorities in Indian Kashmir tightened restrictions on people’s movementson Saturday to prevent possible protests triggered by a speech by PakistaniPrime Minister Imran Khanlink,Al Arabiya has reported.
Khan, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly on Friday,warned there would be a bloodbath once India lifts its restrictions inKashmir which have been in force since it revoked the region’s decades-oldautonomy in August and detained thousands of people.
Soon after the speech, hundreds of Kashmiris came out of their homes,shouting slogans in support of Khan late on Friday night and calling forthe independence of Kashmir.
On Saturday, police vans fitted with speakers made public announcements insome parts of Srinagar about movement restrictions, while additional troopswere deployed to prevent any protests, according to officials and twowitnesses.
The troops also blocked access to the main business centre of Srinagar withrazor wire.
“This was necessitated after protests across Srinagar city last night soonafter Imran Khan’s speech,” said a police official, who declined to beidentified.
Muslim-majority Kashmir has long been a flashpoint between nuclear-armedIndia and Pakistan, which have fought two of their three wars over thedivided territory. Both countries rule parts of Kashmir while claiming itin full.
India’s crackdown as it revoked Kashmir’s special status was accompanied bysevere restrictions on movement, as well as disconnection of telephoneservices. Though New Delhi has eased some of the movement curbs, noprominent detainees have been freed and mobile and internet connectionsremain suspended.
While warning of the consequences of lifting what he described as an“inhuman curfew,” Pakistani premier Khan demanded India do so and free alldetainees.
In some areas in Kashmir – including the Soura region near Srinagar whichhas witnessed protests in the past against India’s decision – peopleclashed with security forces by pelting stones on Friday night, forcingpolice to use tear gas to disperse them, said the Indian official.
Khan addressed the United Nations a day after the senior US diplomat forSouth Asia called for a lowering of rhetoric between India and Pakistan,while saying that Washington hoped to see rapid action by India to liftrestrictions it has imposed in Kashmir and the release of detainees there.