Sporadic Protests as Indian Kashmir Boils under Clampdown

Thousands of Indian security forces kept a lid on protests in disputed Kashmir on Wednesday, helped by the continued suspension of telephone and internet services after the Himalayan region’s special status was scrapped this week.

This is as the Pakistani National Security Committee has decided that Islamabad might downgrade diplomatic relations and suspend trade with New Delhi after India revoked special status of its state located in a disputed Kashmir region, the Pakistani government said.

Earlier this week, the Indian government announced its decision to strip Jammu and Kashmir of its special status and split it into two union territories. One of them, Ladakh

Neighbours China and Pakistan, which both claim parts of the region, have voiced fierce opposition to India’s move dropping a constitutional provision that had allowed the country’s only Muslim-majority state to make its own laws.

Streets in the region’s main city of Srinagar were deserted for a third day, with almost all shops shut, barring some chemists.

Armed federal police manned mobile checkpoints across the city, limiting people’s movement.

Knots of young protesters threw stones at soldiers, police and a witness said, amid anger over the telecoms clampdown that began on Sunday.

“These (protests) are mostly localised because of the heavy troop deployment,” said a police officer, who sought anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to media.

He added that police used tear gas and pepper spray to scatter the protesters.

A witness on Tuesday in the Old Barzullah area near the city centre, said, “I saw around 100 boys, in small groups, pelting stones.”

He added, “The police fired tear gas to beat them back.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government detained regional leaders and heads of separatist groups before Monday’s announcement, which also split the state into two federal territories to ensure greater control.

India has been fighting an armed revolt in Kashmir since 1989, which it blames Pakistan for stoking.

In reply, Islamabad said it only gives moral and diplomatic support to the Kashmiri people in their struggle for selfdetermination.

Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal had asked officials to ensure people had enough supplies and assured them of their security, Reuters partner ANI said in a report.

Local authorities have not declared a curfew, but instead clamped down on non-essential travel and gatherings of four or more, effectively keeping restive people in their homes.

South Kashmir, the epicentre of the insurgency in recent years, was completely locked down, said a state government official who visited the area.

“The highway was deserted, except for some trucks and buses carrying labourers out of the valley,” added the official, who asked not to be named.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani National Security Committee yesterday decided that Islamabad might downgrade diplomatic relations and suspend trade with New Delhi after India revoked special status of its state located in a disputed Kashmir region, the Pakistani government said.

“The Committee decided to take following actions: 1-Downgrading of diplomatic relations with India. 2-Suspension of bilateral trade with India. 3-Review of bilateral arrangements. 4-Matter to be taken to UN, including the Security Council. 5-14th of August to be observed in solidarity with brave Kashmiris,” the Pakistani Government said on Twitter.

During the previous meeting this week, the committee condemned India’s actions.