Kashmir besieged for 36th day as humanitarian crises worsen

36th day

36th day

India-occupied Kashmir (IoK) remains under strict military siege on the 36th consecutive day with more than 10 million people cut off from the entire world under Modi regime, which had on August 5 unilaterally abrogated articles 370 and 35A of the Indian constitution via a rushed presidential decree, stripping Kashmiris of their special rights.
According to Kashmir Media Service, curfew and restrictions have been further intensified to prevent Muharram processions across the territory.
The commercial hub of Lal Chowk and adjoining areas are completely sealed by the police and Central Reserve Police Force with concertina wires at all entry points and two major arterial stretches, MA Road and Residency Road, to disallow public movement.
The restrictions were such that even those with valid passes issued by the district authorities were not allowed to move by the forces’ personnel. At places, even the medical emergencies faced problems due to barricaded roads.
“People had to face inconvenience on Sunday that was even not witnessed in over a month-long shutdown,” said Mohammad Iqbal, a resident of Srinagar’s Soura area.
The weekly flea market in Srinagar’s Lal Chowk remained shut to prevent Ashura processions.
However, people defied curfew and restrictions took out a procession from the Abiguzar locality at the city centre. The police came into action and detained almost all the participants of the Muharram procession.
Meanwhile, normal life remained severely affected in Kashmir on the 36th consecutive day, today, with all markets are closed while transport is off the road. There is no internet and mobile phone service in the Kashmir valley, which remains cut off from the rest of the world since August 5 due to suspension of internet, mobile and landline phones, while TV channels are also closed.
Curfew and restrictions have rendered the common man with acute shortage of essential commodities and hospitals without medicines. Patients have been adversely hit by the clampdown.

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