New Dehli, 9 2019 : The Human Rights Watch (HRW) has urged India to release political prisoners, end crackdown operations and restore internet and mobile communication in occupied Kashmir. It has been over two months since the Indian government revoked constitutional autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir and split the state into two centrally administered territories and yet abusive restrictions, including a lockdown on internet and mobile phone services, remain, the HRW South Asia Director, Meenakshi Ganguly in a statement said.
HRW South Asia Director said , numerous foreign leaders have expressed concern over the government’s continued detention of Kashmiri leaders and anyone deemed likely to protest, use of torture, restrictions on movement enforced by a massive military presence, and problems in accessing public services, including emergency medical care, she stressed.
India has claimed that the restrictions have saved lives and maintained order. But fear of arbitrary arrests and shootings by India forces has left the Kashmir valley full of shuttered shops and empty classrooms. The authorities have blocked visits by diplomats, international journalists, activists, and local politicians, she pointed out.
Indian authorities should announce an end to repressive actions and hold to account forces personnel responsible for abuses. They should release all those detained without charge and restore communications. Months of a broad-based clampdown on civil liberties can’t be justified by vague claims of maintaining order, the statement said.
Indian activists filed a complaint with the Indian Supreme Court to ensure protection of children after the media reported that many had been detained, beaten, or denied safe access to schools. Police say the reports are exaggerated, but still provided a list of 144 children, one as young as 9, who had been taken into custody. Most, police said, have been released, after warnings against participating in violent protests, Meenakshi Ganguly said
Indian authorities have relied on pro-government media and social media supporters to defend the crackdown and denounce rights activists. Any criticism of the government can draw swift rebuke, including sedition , which can stifle peaceful dissent, the statement said.
The HRW urged India government to ensure that rights are protected after lifting some restrictions in Jammu and Kashmir. The government announced that it had partially restored landline connections, reopened schools, and withdrawn the ban on large gatherings. The government imposed the restrictions after it revoked the state’s special autonomous status on August 5, 2019, and split it into two federally governed territories. Source HRW
https://www.hrw.org/news/2019/10/07/restrictions-detentions-persist-kashmir