South Asia Human Rights Journalist Association

February 8, 2020ISLAMABAD:  Two of world largest and prominent Human Rights (HR) Organizations, International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and World Organization Against Torture (OMCT) in a Joint letter this Feb 5th have urged Indian Prime Minister, Home Minister and Chief Justice of Supreme court to immediately release Miyan Abdul Qayoom, President of Jammu & Kashmir High Court Bar Association and hundreds of others who are arbitrarily detained under draconian Public Safety Act (PSA). PSA gives powers to Indian government to detain anyone for 2 years without trial.

Srinagar, February 3, 2020 : Indian forces arrested over a dozen Kashmiri youth  during siege and search and house raid operations in Pulwama district.
Eleven youth were arrested from Karimabad and Kakapora villages of South Kashmir’s Pulwama district during night raids, reports said.

Srinagar, 29 Jan , 2020: The 76-year-old Bar Association President, Mian Abdul Qayoom suffered a heart attack in Indian Agra jail in Uttar Pradesh , today. The illegally detaiend Mian Abdul Qayoom was admitted to a hospital in Agra Medical hospital. One of the most prominent lawyers and president of Kashmir’s High Court Bar Association Mian Abdul Qayoom was battling multiple ailments without proper medical care inside Agra jail in Uttar Pradesh.

Srinagar, 29 Jan 2020: High-speed mobile internet of all cellular companies and broadband remained suspended in Kashmir valley since August 5, 2019  when the government of India scrapped Article 370 -35A of Jammu and Kashmir. People, particularly media persons, professionals, students, and traders continued to suffer despite authorities resuming 2G mobile internet service after over 170 days on January 25.

New York, January 15, 2020: The New York-based Human Rights Watch has criticized the Indian government for gross human rights violations including communication blackout imposed after the abrogation of Kashmir’s special status in August, last year.  The Human Rights Watch in its World Report 2020 said, the Indian government has tried to shut down Kashmir, hiding the full extent of the harm caused there. The 652-page report says that on August 5, before revoking the state’s special status, the government imposed a security lockdown and deployed additional troops. Thousands of Kashmiris were detained without charge, including former chief ministers, political leaders, opposition activists, lawyers, and journalists. The internet and phones were shut down. The government said it was to prevent loss of life, but there were credible, serious allegations of beatings and torture by Indian forces.

 Srinagar, January 11,2020:  Indian troops have arrested overa dozen  persons in Srinagar ,Budgam, Bandipora, Kulgam, Pulwama and Shopian districts..Indian troops, paramilitary forces and Special Operation Group during joint cordon and search operations and house raids arrested  Rizwan Ahmed Rather of Methan Chanapora and Shahnawaz Sikandar of Rajpora Pulwama in Nowgam in Srinagar, Irfan Rashid Dar, Shabir Ahmed Gojri, Zahoor Ahmed Parray alias Jaana, Shabir Ahmed Wani, Muhammad Ashraf Shah and Sajad Ahmed Dar, all residents of Hajin town of Bandpora.The official said one of them whom he identified as Zahoor Ahmed Parray alias Jaana was booked under black law Public Safety Act and shifted to Srinagar Central Jail.

 January 08, 2020: Tehseen Nazir, 16, was killed after a Jammu Kashmir Police vehicle mowed him down near Nowgam Chowk in south Srinagar city on Tuesday morning.  An eyewitness, Nazir Ahmad Lone, a nearby shopkeeper said the Police vehicle was coming fast from Natipora to Nowgam Bypass direction when the driver of the vehicle hit a Maruti car and a minor boy. Tehseen, who had left his home, Nowgam at around 9 am to attend his tuition classes at Candid High School was walking on the roadside and was a few meters away from his school when suddenly, a Jammu and Kashmir Police bus that was coming behind him hit him, leaving him in pool of blood. Soon after the incident, locals told media men that the Police started firing, teargass shelling  and used brute force to disperse the  protesters.

Srinagar, December 25, 2019: Indian authorities gave sanction for prosecution of jailed leader, Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front Chairman, Muhammad Yasin Malik and Dukhtaran-e-Millat Chief, Aasiya Andrabi on the charges of raising anti-India slogans and asking people to boycott the election drama, frequently staged by India in the territory. The cases were registered in 2010 and 2018 under the draconian law, Unlawful Activities Act. Muhammad Yasin, Asiya Andrabi , Faheeda Sofi and Nahida Nasreen are detained in Indian Tihar Jails since long time.

Srinagar, December 24, 2019:  At least three youth from south Kashmir’s Shopian have been booked under the draconian law Public Safety Act (PSA) .