The Borneo Post (Sabah)

India increases restrictio­ns in Kashmir

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Authoritie­s in the main city of Indian Kashmir tightened security ahead of Friday prayers after separatist­s called for a protest march to a UN office, with streets bristling with paramilita­ry personnel and some blocked by checkpoint­s.

Posters appeared overnight this week in Srinagar, the Muslim-majority region’s main city, calling for a march to the office of the UN Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP), to protest against India’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir state’s special autonomy.

The call by separatist­s seeking Kashmir’s secession from India was the first since that decision on Aug 5, which brought communicat­ion and travel restrictio­ns in Kashmir that are still largely in place. Some landlines were restored last week.

The UNMOGIP was set up in 1949 after the first war between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, the Himalayan region both countries claim in full but rule in part. The group monitors ceasefire violations along the border between the countries.

Protests have broken out in parts of Srinagar over the last two weeks, some drawing hundreds of people. At least 152 people have been hurt by teargas and pellets since security forces launched a sweeping crackdown, data from the Himalayan region’s two main hospitals shows.

Several dozen paramilita­ry personnel yesterday manned at least two barriers on the main road leading to the office of UNMOGIP in Srinagar and public movement around it was blocked.

Entry into the city’s old quarter, which has long been a centre for protests, was severely curtailed, as policemen blocked street after street with concertina wire.

Large swathes of Srinagar remained deserted with shops shut except for some provision stores with shutters half-down.

Police vans patrolled some areas announcing a curfew and asking people to stay indoors. — Reuters

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 ?? — Reuters photo ?? An Indian security personnel stands guard on a deserted road during restrictio­ns after scrapping of the special constituti­onal status for Kashmir by the Indian government, in Srinagar.
— Reuters photo An Indian security personnel stands guard on a deserted road during restrictio­ns after scrapping of the special constituti­onal status for Kashmir by the Indian government, in Srinagar.

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