AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Srinagar, October 05, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, normal life remained crippled in Kashmir valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu region due to continued military siege on 62nd consecutive day, today. People continue to face immense hardships due to heavy presence of Indian troops in every nook and corner and suspension of means of communications. All shops, main markets and educational institutions continue to remain shut and public transport off the road in Kashmir valley as a mark of silent protest against repeal of special status of the territory by India.
Meanwhile, India’s investigating agency Enforcement Directorate has seized the property of illegally detained senior APHC leader and the Chairman of Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Freedom Party, Shabbir Ahmed Shah. The ED last week issued a notice to the wife and two daughters of Shabbir Shah, asking them to vacate their residential house at Rawalpora in Srinagar and hand over its possession to it within 10 days.
Unknown persons hurled a grenade towards the deputy commissioner’s office in Islamabad district, today, resulting in injuries to at least fourteen people including a traffic policeman and a journalist. Soon after the incident, Indian troops and police personnel cordoned off the area and launched searches to nab the attackers.
The All Parties Hurriyat Conference Azad Jammu and Kashmir chapter at a meeting in Islamabad strongly condemned the continued lockdown and communication blockade by the Indian government in occupied Kashmir.
A four-member team from Women against Sexual Violence and State Repression, which recently visited occupied Kashmir, has released an alarming report about the situation in the Kashmir valley. It said there is always a threat of violence by the Indian forces hanging over the heads of Kashmiris. It added that the women are living under a constant threat of molestation and abuse by the Indian forces’ personnel.
The Communist Party of India-Marxist General Secretary, Sitaram Yechury, talking to media in New Delhi said that the situation in Kashmir was far from normal despite the Indian government and the BJP claiming the opposite.
A key US Senator from the Democratic Party, Chris Van Hollen, wanted to visit occupied Kashmir to see the situation first-hand but the Indian government denied him permission to go there. Despite being refused permission to visit Kashmir, he went to India and met officials and key members of civil society in Delhi on Thursday and Friday. The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations has added an appeal calling for an end to the humanitarian crisis in occupied Kashmir in its report ahead of the annual Foreign Appropriations Act for 2020.
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