NEW DELHI: India on Thursday hit back at nuclear rival Pakistan’sdowngrading of diplomatic ties over its clampdown on Kashmir, saying itsdecision to strip the restive region of its autonomy was an “internalaffair”.
India stripped Kashmir of its special status in the constitution on Mondayand brought the region under its direct rule, angering Pakistan which has acompeting claim to the Muslim-majority state.
Pakistan responded by downgrading its diplomatic ties with India Wednesday,announcing that it would expel the Indian envoy and suspend trade as therow between the neighbours deepened.
The countries have fought two wars over Kashmir.
“The recent developments pertaining to Article 370 are entirely theinternal affair of India,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in astatement.
“Seeking to interfere in that jurisdiction by invoking an alarmist visionof the region will never succeed.”
New Delhi slammed Pakistan’s actions as “alarmist”, adding that its movewould boost economic development in the Himalayan region.
The diplomatic spat came as media reports said more than 500 people wererounded up in the latest crackdown in Indian Kashmir, which is under astrict curfew to suppress any unrest in response to the loss of autonomy.
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University professors, business leaders and activists were among the 560people taken to makeshift detention centres — some during midnight raids —in the cities of Srinagar, Baramulla and Gurez, the Press Trust of Indiaand the Indian Express reported.
The detentions came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to address thenation on the radio later Thursday to explain his Hindu nationalistgovernment’s decision.
Tens of thousands of Indian troops are enforcing the lockdown whichincludes no internet or phone services, and are allowing only limitedmovement on streets usually bustling with tourists flocking to thepicturesque valley.
Experts warn that the valley is likely to erupt in anger at thegovernment’s shock unilateral move once the restrictions are lifted, whichcould come as soon as the Muslim festival of Eid on Monday.
Late Wednesday India’s aviation security agency advised airports across thecountry to step up security as “civil security has emerged as a soft targetfor terrorist attacks” on the back of the Kashmir move. -APP/AFP
