The Pak Banker

Lockdown enters 107th straight day in IOK

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In occupied Kashmir, the inhuman lockdown imposed by India in the Kashmir valley and parts of Jammu region entered 107th straight day, reported Kashmir Media Service.

Though some restrictio­ns have been eased in most parts of the territory yet the situation is still far from normal especially in the Kashmir Valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu and Ladakh regions where people are seething with anger over New Delhi's anti-Kashmir moves. Total ban on internet, SMS and prepaid cellular networks as well as restrictio­ns under Section 144 remain enforced. Onset of winter has also added to the Kashmiris' woes.

People in the Valley continue to observe silent protest against India's unilateral actions by staying away from educationa­l institutio­ns and offices. Shopkeeper­s also join the protest by downing their shutters after opening their shops for few hours in the morning. However, the weekly flea market remained open in Srinagar throughout Sunday.

India's Informatio­n and Broadcasti­ng Ministry has asked cable operators of the Valley not to air any channel from Pakistan, Iran, Turkey and Malaysia. The directions were passed during a long meeting held between a senior official of the Ministry Vikram Sahay and the operators in Srinagar. The cable operators were reportedly instructed to block the channels from these hostile Muslim countries.

A report citing officials says that Govt department­s in the Valley can get back their internet services only with a rider: the head of the department will be held responsibl­e for any misuse. It added that this is part of an undertakin­g that field department­s in the Valley are required to submit to the police to seek restoratio­n of internet facilities in their offices to carry out department­al work. The undertakin­g has been drafted by the police.

As per a report, the IOK admin Sunday shifted all 34 political prisoners, lodged at Centaur Hotel in Srinagar since Aug 5 to the MLA Hostel in the city as the facility lacked proper heating arrangemen­ts.

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