Srinagar (DNA): In occupied Kashmir, unprecedented curfew and communication blackout continue on the 8th consecutive day, today (Monday) even on day of the great Muslim festival, Eidul Azha.The Indian government, on August 05, had snapped television, telephone and internet links to prevent demonstrations against its decision of revoking Article 370 of the Indian Constitution that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Kashmiri Muslims are unable to sacrifice animals and offer Eidul Azha prayers, as entire occupied territory has been converted into a military garrison and a big concentration camp through deployment of forces’ personnel in every street and village of the territory. Local newspapers even failed to update their online editions since the night of August 04.
Almost all political leadership including Syed Ali Gilani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq are under house arrest or in jails. Former puppet chief ministers Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti are also placed under house detention. The continued blockade has rendered the people of the Kashmir valley in acute shortage of essential commodities.
Meanwhile, hundreds of Canadian Kashmiris and their sympathizers held an anti-India demonstration in Toronto, Canada, to condemn the abrogation of special status of Jammu and Kashmir by India. The demonstrators were holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans like ‘Free Kashmir, “Stop genocide in Kashmir” and “We stand with Kashmir”. The demonstration was led by Kashmiri community leader, Farooq Siddiqui.
The Editors Guild of India in a statement issued in New Delhi expressed its concern over the shutdown of communications in occupied Kashmir by Indian government. The statement said Editors Guild of India is deeply concerned about curtailment of the media freedom.
