*SRINAGAR – Occupied Kashmir, Senior Congress leader Ghulam Nabi AzadTuesday said that the situation in Indian occupied Kashmir is “very bad.”*
“There is no sign of freedom of speech in Jammu and Kashmir”.
He said this after visiting the Indian occupied Kashmir, where he was onhis maiden six-day tour after the revocation of the valley’s special statuson August 5.
His three earlier bids to visit occupied Jammu and Kashmir, his home state,had failed as he was sent back from the airport by the authorities.
His visit became possible after the Indian Supreme Court on September 16allowed him to visit Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramullah and Jammu districts toinquire about the welfare of the people in the valley.
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In his petition, Azad had sought permission to check on the socialatmosphere in the state after the clampdown in the aftermath of the Indiangovernment’s August 5 decision to dilute Article 370.
Referring to the detention of the political leaders in the state, hefurther said, “There is no sign of freedom of speech in Jammu and Kashmir.”
No respite for the people of Kashmir as life continues to remain crippledon the 52nd consecutive day, today (Tuesday) due to military clampdown andcommunications blackout in the Indian occupied territory.