SRINAGAR: The curfew and communications blockage in Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) continues to remain cut off from the rest of the world on the 185th consecutive day on Wednesday.
There is a shortage of food and medicines, while heavy snowfall has multiplied the miseries of the hapless Kashmiri people. Since 5th August 2019, the Indian government has placed a curfew in IoK by revoking the special status of occupied Kashmir.
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Restrictions under section 144 and total ban on internet and prepaid mobile services remain enforced. Public transport is off the roads. Shops and business centers barring a few hours in the morning and evening continue to remain shut.
Though educational institutions and offices are open yet very few show up there. Normal life remains disabled in the IoK and parts of the occupied valley. Shops and business establishments remain closed most of the time except for a few hours in the morning and evening.
The authorities have also deputed magistrates in educational institutions across occupied Kashmir to monitor the activities of students.
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They have directed the heads of educational institutions to conduct regular morning assemblies and advise students to concentrate on education only. On 11th December, the Indian government restored incoming text messages in IoK after four months of curfew in the valley.
On the other hand on 31st October last year occupied Kashmir was officially split into two union territories against the wishes of the people of the territory and in breach of international laws and India’s own constitution.
Earlier, Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that the fiction of India’s democracy was fully exposed as Pakistan observed Kashmir Solidarity Day to express the nation’s full support for the just struggle of the Kashmiri people for their right to self-determination under the UN resolutions.
Prime Minister Imran Khan in a message said, “Today, we observe the Kashmir Solidarity Day to reaffirm our unflinching support for our Kashmiri brothers and sisters who have been subjected to an inhuman lockdown and communications blockade for six months now.”
Prime Minister also urged the international community to play its role in ensuring respect for the fundamental human rights and freedoms of the Kashmiri people and averting grave risks to global peace and security posed by India’s belligerent rhetoric and aggressive action.
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