Humanitarian crisis worsens in Kashmir as besiege enters 35th day
Yesterday, Indian troops used pellet guns, canes and teargas shells on a Muharram procession.
SRINAGAR (Dunya News) – Indian occupied Kashmir remains under strict military siege on the 35th consecutive day with more than 10 million people cut off from the entire world under Modi regime, which had on Aug. 5 unilaterally abrogated articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution via a rushed presidential decree, stripping Kashmiris of their special rights.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the humanitarian crisis has worsened as Pakistan awaits resolution of Kashmir dispute with India under United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolutions.
Forcefully tightening its grip on the Himalayan region, India has been violating basic human rights and freedom of speech and expression, including curbs on Muharram processions and performing religious activities, fearing that these gatherings could turn into anti-India demonstrations.
Yesterday, Indian troops used pellet guns, canes and teargas shells on a Muharram procession at Hassnabad area in Srinagar. Several mourners, including a photojournalist sustained critical pellet shots. The camera of a journalist was broken by police in their efforts to stop the coverage of the procession. Three journalists who were tortured included Shahid Khan, Mubashir Dar and Bilal Bhat.
Besides, India has restricted Muslims from offering Juma prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jamia Masjid and other big mosques of the valley.
Traditionally on 8th and 10th of Muharram, huge processions used to be taken out from different areas of Srinagar and other parts of the valley to pay rich tributes to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) – the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – and his companions who were martyred in Karbala. However, the occupation authorities imposed ban on these processions in the territory in 1989.
Hurriyat activists through posters and handbills issued in occupied Kashmir warned Tri Netra Foundation, an Indian non-governmental organization, to desist from misleading the world community about the prevailing situation of the territory. Tri Netra Foundation in collaboration with the Indian Home Ministry is using Kashmiri Muslim girls to pacify the Kashmiris’ tempers against repeal of special status of occupied Kashmir by India and give an impression that the situation is normal in the territory. The Hurriyat activists urged the Kashmiris to beware of the actions of India and its paid NGOs and frustrate their nefarious designs.
Al Jazeera, in a report, said that chaos and crisis in hospitals continue for over a month-long lockdown. The report said patients are scrambling for medicines and doctors are unable to work due to blackout and the hospitals are running out of resources. It said, the unprecedented siege has severely affected patients in need of urgent medical attention.
Kashmiri political activist, Shehla Rasheed, in a tweet described the sedition case filed against her by the Delhi police as frivolous, politically motivated and a pathetic attempt to silence her.
Four persons including a baby girl were injured after they were shot at by unidentified persons at Dangerpora in Sopore area of Baramulla district.
Communications’ blackout, internet and mobile services’ suspension, closure of TV channels and stringent curfew have brought life to a standstill with all markets closed and public transport off the roads since August 5.
Around 50,000 public transport vehicles are grounded while train service is suspended for more than a month.
Over 10,000 Kashmiris and hundreds of political leaders and workers including Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Muhammad Ashraf Sehrai continue to remain under house arrest or in jails.
