Turmoil in India-administered Kashmir widens as India restricts movement, blocks internet, arrests regional politicians, and gathers more troops on de facto border with Pakistan.
“There will be a complete bar on holding any kind of public meetings or rallies during the period of operation of this order.”
The recent tensions started in the last 10 days after New Delhi deployed at least 10,000 troops, but a security source told further 70,000 had been dispatched in what is believed to be an unprecedented level.
Universities, schools, and colleges in southern Hindu-dominated Jammu were ordered to be shut, and one district in that region was placed under lockdown.
Several other major districts of the Muslim-majority state were also placed under restrictions, local media reported.
Private mobile networks, internet services, and telephone landlines were cut, with only the one government-owned mobile network remained operational.
A senior official told nearly 300 administrative officials and top security officials had been issued with satellite phones.
Locals say they were worried that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s right-wing government could set aside a constitutional provision –– Article 35A –– which would allow Indians from outside the disputed territory to purchase land there.
Before the networks were cut, pro-India Kashmiri leaders tweeted that they had been put under house arrest.
“I believe I’m being placed under house arrest from midnight tonight & the process has already started for other mainstream leaders,” Omar Abdullah, a former chief minister of the region, tweeted.
Mehbooba Mufti, another former chief minister and Modi’s former ally, said on Twitter it was “ironic that elected representatives like us who fought for peace are under house arrest. The world watches as people & their voices are being muzzled.”
Pakistan warns against India ‘misadventure’
Pakistan’s civil and military leadership on Sunday warned India that Islamabad would respond to any “misadventure” or aggression against Pakistan.
The warning came in a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office in the capital Islamabad after a meeting of the National Security Committee, a forum of top civil and military official, chaired by Premier Imran Khan.
“Pakistan remains ready to defend itself against any Indian misadventure or aggression and will continue to provide all-out diplomatic, moral and political support to the brave people of IOJ&K (Indian-occupied Jammu & Kashmir) [or India-administered Kashmir] in their indigenous struggle to get justice and their right to self-determination in line with UNSC resolutions,” the statement said.
Khan summoned the urgent NSC meeting to discuss the current situation after Pakistan on Saturday claimed that Indian forces used cluster munitions on civilians near the Line of Control (LoC) the de facto border dividing disputed Kashmir.
Tensions between India and Pakistan over Kashmir have the potential to become a regional crisis and it is the right time for US President Donald Trump to mediate, Khan said.
SOURCE: TRT WORLD
