Restore normalcy in occupied Kashmir: ISC

NEW DELHI: Indian Supreme Court (ISC) on Monday ordered the Indian government to immediately restore normalcy in occupied Kashmir.

The court gave the orders after hearing multiple pleas against the 5th August’s decision of the Indian government0 to revoke the constitutional autonomy of Indian-occupied Kashmir.

The hearing led by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi heard the petitions filed on the restrictions in IOK, media curbs and Article-370.

Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said, “We are not passing any orders. We are saying restore keeping in mind national security. We have said all facilities should be restored keeping in mind national security. We are not carving out exceptions for any category.”

CJI Gogoi expressed concerns and also sought a report from IOK High Court chief justice on allegations that people were finding it difficult to approach the high court.

He said, “It is very, very serious if people are unable to approach the high court. I will visit Srinagar to see if the situation in IOK was as dire as people were suggesting.”

Read also: Indian court seeks response from Modi govt over abolishing Article 370

However, the court stopped short of passing direct orders in the pleas regarding the curfew and communicators blackout in occupied Kashmir, reported the Indian publication.

Meanwhile, the Indian Supreme Court today also sought a response from New Delhi and the IOK administration on a plea seeking to produce Abdullah before the court.

It issued a notice to the Narendra Modi-led government and the occupied Kashmir. The court also fixed Indian politician Vaiko, also a member of the Rajya Sabha, for hearing on 30th September.

Since August, the Indian government had passed a bill that split occupied Kashmir into two Indian Union territories. A military curfew was imposed in the occupied valley after the decision and thousands imprisoned.