IOK Under Lockdown: Lockdown imposed by the Indian government on 5 Aug has hit 200 days, it’s been more than 6 months since the region is facing military lockdown and internet blackout. Acute shortage of food and medicines is being faced by people residing in the region.
Indian government claims they have eased some restrictions but the life of people living there remain severely affected and no respite is being offered amid the high international pressure.
August – (IOK Under Lockdown)
On Aug 5 a presidential decree revoked article 370 of India’s constitution which means now people from the rest of India will now be able to acquire land and settle there permanently. BJP opposition parties spoke of this action as the murder of democracy and a day of shame was observed as BJP played with the sentiments of Kashmiri people.
This move was challenged in the supreme court by opposition congress activist Tehseen Poonawalla and protests continue throughout the region against the clampdown.
On Aug 14 Pakistan observed Independence day as Kashmir Solidarity day and on Aug 15 India’s independence day was observed as a black day in Pakistan and Prime Minister Imran Khan warned India of serious repercussions in the Muslim world against the ethnic cleansing of Muslims.
UNSC United Nations Security Council for the first time since 1965 held a conference on Kashmir and nullified India’s claim that this was an internal matter and expressed serious concerns about human rights and the existing situation there.
Protests continue throughout the valley, people showed their resentment against New Delhi by observing civil disobedience and shops and institutions remained closed.
On Aug 26 the authorities of Indian occupied Kashmir stopped a group of top opposition political leaders from visiting Kashmir.
On Aug 30 Many stories of Indian Forces Torturing people of occupied Kashmir emerged that The BBC heard and on the appeal of prime minister Imran khan Pakistani nationals observed Kashmir Hour to show solidarity with Kashmiris as they stand against the brutal, fascist Modi Government seizure and ethnic cleansing agenda.
September – (IOK Under Lockdown)
On September 3 Thousands of protestors marched from parliament square to Indian high commission London and showed their solidarity by participating in “Kashmir Freedom” march. Protestors carried placards, Kashmir flags and chanted slogans of “Terrorist terrorist, Modi is a terrorist!” and “Hum cheen kay lain gay — Azaadi, Ha Haq Hamara Aazadi!”. Eggs and tomatoes among other things were also flung at Indian high commission’s building.
Anger and misery of Kashmiri citizens have worsened over the past month; a global campaign was put in motion by Amnesty International India on 5 September to end the draconian communication blackout and the lockdown imposed by the Indian government on Indian Occupied Kashmir.
The major flash-point regions of the Indian occupied Kashmir though under strict lockdown had more than 700 protests during 45 days, is reported by Indian government sources.
The economy of the region is in a tailspin and due to lockdown, the industries are in great turmoil. The fact that communication links have been blackout which is devastating for the apple industry known as the “spine of Kashmir’s economy.
On September 28 during the 74th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York Prime Minister Imran Khan made a 45 min long speech rebuking India’s annexation of Indian occupied Kashmir and the atrocities being faced by the people of Occupied Kashmir.
Prime Minister of Malaysia Mahathir Mohamad spoke about the Kashmir issue and showed great discontent about UN resolutions and that territory is still invaded.
Prime Minister of Turkey Tayyip Erdogan condemned the international community and said the issue is still waiting to be solved for 72 years and should be resolved on the basis of justice and equity.
October
Indian administration in the occupied region of Kashmir had detained 144 minors among which, sixty of the minors are under the age of 15. They are being detained for rioting and damaging public property.
Trailblazing US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, who is also a member of a group Popularly known as “The Squad” said that “blockade must end” in Indian occupied Kashmir.
On Oct 3rd the communications blackout has hit 60 days, the whole region is still under lockdown and global concerns were raised regarding the scarcity of food and medical supplies.
On 6 Oct Indian authorities gave permission to the National Conference Party delegation to meet in Srinagar, President Farooq Abdullah and Vice President Omar Abdullah who are top leaders of the National Conference Party.
On 10 Oct Authorities decided to lift travel advisory and also released some politicians, Yawar Mir, Noor Mohammed and Shoaib Lone, in Indian occupied Kashmir due to the international pressure.
On 15 Oct twelve women protestors were detained by police for holding an anti-India protest, among these women were also sister and daughter of former occupied Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Farooq Abdullah.
On 24 Oct despite lockdown village council elections were held in Indian occupied Kashmir. Most of the local politicians were detained and many parties boycotted the elections.
On 29 Oct Thirty European MEP visited Indian Occupied Kashmir as the first international delegation after the Indian authorities imposed lockdown. Some diplomatic doubts were raised as the delegation did not include the European Parliament and European Union hierarchy. United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCHR) expressed great concern over human rights in Indian occupied Kashmir territory and also Indian judiciary is being criticized for the way they are using to deal with the cases concerning Indian Occupied Kashmir.
On 31 Oct The special status of occupied Jammu and Kashmir region was officially lost as the Indian federal governments’ orders were put into order after midnight of 30 Oct which officially divided the region into two union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Pakistan rejected the bifurcation of occupied Kashmir and termed it illegal.
November
On November 2nd a new map of the so-called territories was released by the Indian ministry of home affairs which showed areas of Azad Jammu Kashmir inside Ladakh.
On 3 November Pakistan rejected the new political map issued by India by saying it is illegal and against the United Nations Security Council resolutions.
On 12 November A silent protest was held by journalists to mark the fact that 100 days have past and the region has no internet. Journalists held laptops with black screens and placards written with the words “100 days no internet” and “stop humiliating Kashmir journalists”.
The Indian government gave grounds for the ban as it was necessary to stop fighters from AJK to spread rebellion.
On 13 November the Congressional Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission examined the human rights situation in Indian Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan highly praised and admired the US commission for becoming the voice of innocent Kashmiris whose right for self-determination is being brutally silenced by India.
On 17 November The President of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Arif Alvi condemned the remarks of retired Major General SP Sinha on TV9 Bharatvarsh, a Hindi news channel, in India. Sinha approved of rape and murder as legitimate military tactics.
On 25 November The Times India Reported that a group of civil society activists consisting of five members from India led by former Union minister Yashwant Sinha was stopped from going outside Srinagar.
December
On 7 December US Congress had a bipartisan resolution 745 approved which was moved by congresswomen Pramila Jayapal and Steve Watkins which urged India to put an end on communications blockade and to preserve the religious freedom of people and also stop mass detentions.
On 8 December A human rights delegation consisting of four members met Mushaal Hussein Mullick, the wife of Mohammad Yasin Malik who is a Kashmiri leader currently imprisoned by India, vowed to highlight atrocities being committed in Indian Occupied Kashmir.
On 10 December Prime Minister Imran Khan appealed to the world’s conscience, UNSC, and all the international community to stop illegal annexation if Indian occupied Kashmir by the government of India.
On this human rights day, India allowed some incoming text messages into the Occupied Kashmir region but still, they were unable to send messages.
On 20 December Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar called off a meeting with United States Congress regarding the Kashmir issue. The meeting was canceled because India demanded that a congresswoman, Pramila Jayapal should be excluded from the meeting and this demand was put down by US Congress.
On 31 December announcement was made by authorities in the Kashmir disputed region that they will restore text messaging services. Almost after 5 months since a complete lockdown was imposed by the Indian government. Broadband Internet will also be restored in government hospitals across the region.
January- (IOK Under Lockdown)
On 2nd January as the new year began, Text messaging services were only restored for the users of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited. Partial restoration of messaging services was done by the Indian authorities which are contradictory to the earlier claims made by the authorities.
On 9 January Ambassadors from European countries refused for a two-day tour to Indian occupied Kashmir. According to the sources the diplomats asked to travel and meet the people unaccompanied.
On 10 January India’s Supreme Court termed internet suspension without any particular duration and indefinitely, is against the rules of telecom and thus declared the ban as unconstitutional and that all the restrictions should coincide with article 19(2) of the constitution.
On 16 January The United Nations Security Council held a meeting to review the situation presiding in Indian Occupied Kashmir. The Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun told the press after the meeting that a briefing was heard from the secretariat on the situation and that a close is being kept on the circumstances of the region.
On 27 January Hundreds of Kashmiri and Sikh people protested outside the Indian embassy in London and observed the day as black day as India celebrated its republic day.
Reference: DAWN
[box type=”note” align=”” class=”” width=”100%”]Useful Links
UAE Announced 30 Billion Rupees Assistance for Kamyab Jawan Program
Digital Pakistan: Is Pakistan Taking off?
Business Ideas in Pakistan 2020: Complete Roadmap
Online jobs in Pakistan for students without investment – Realistic and Confirmed
PayPal account in Pakistan Definitive Guide to make and verify PayPal account
How to Apply Online for Kamyab Jawan Program – Tips and Guidelines
[/box]