Occupied Kashmir lockdown enters 27th day, Indian authorities confess arresting over 4,500 Kashmiris

Occupied Kashmir lockdown enters 27th day, Indian authorities confess arresting over 4,500 Kashmiris

SRINAGAR - In occupied Kashmir, over 4,500 persons among over 10,000 arrested have been booked under draconian law, Public Safety Act since repeal of special status of territory by Indian government on 5th August.

Those detained under PSA include Hurriyat leaders, political workers, traders, lawyers, social activists and youth.

Principal Secretary of occupied Kashmir, Rohit Kansal, confirmed to media that over 4,500 people have been arrested under the PSA. The law allows the authorities to keep anyone under detention for up to two years without trial.

Meanwhile, the curfew and communication blackout continue in the Kashmir valley on the 27th consecutive day, today, where people are facing acute shortage of essential commodities including baby food and life-saving medicines.

The valley remains cut off from the rest of the world since August 05 due to continued blockade and suspension of internet, mobile and landline services and closing of TV channels.

The printing of local newspapers remains suspended while schools shut.

Meanwhile, after getting a number of Twitter accounts blocked, the Indian agencies are scanning over 3,500 Facebook and Whatsapp pages.

Reports said although mobile network in the territory has been snapped since August 05, the Indian agencies are scanning messages and videos earlier shared in these groups.

Earlier, the Indian government had written to Twitter to block some accounts after the abrogation of Article 370.

Following written complaint by the government, the micro-blogging site had suspended some Twitter handles.