Kashmir observes self-imposed strike
A month after India withdrew contested Kashmir's autonomy, locked it down with thousands of additional troops and made mass arrests, residents are resisting attempts by authorities to show some signs of normalcy returning in the Muslim-majority valley. Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked special rights for Jammu and Kashmir state on August 5, striking down long-standing constitutional provisions for the Himalayan region, which is also claimed by neighbouring Pakistan. To dampen the possibility of widespread protests, India flooded Kashmir - already one of the world's most militarised zones - with troops, imposed severe restrictions on movements, and cut all telephone, mobile phone and internet connections. Thousands of people were arrested. New Delhi has since eased some of the curbs although no prominent detainees have been freed and mobile and internet connections remain suspended.
SELF-IMPOSED STRIKE
In previous phases of protests in Kashmir, separatist groups would issue official calls for shutdowns and protests.
This time, however, separatist leaders - who either want independence for Kashmir, or support joining Pakistan - have been detained alongside mainstream politicians, including three former chief ministers and hundreds of other civil society leaders.
In posters across Srinagar, which began appearing in late August, shopkeepers have been asked to only open late in the evenings and early in the mornings to enable residents to buy essentials.
In the commercial areas of downtown Srinagar, the majority of shops remain shuttered. Rohit Kansal, the official spokesman of the Jammu and Kashmir state government, blamed "anti-national" forces for preventing shops from opening.
SCHOOLS, GOVT SHUTDOWN
Attendance in major government offices in Srinagar is about 50% and those in smaller, subordinate offices in the city is substantially lower, a state government official said, declining to be named as he was not authorised to speak to the media. At an office of the state housing and urban development department in western Srinagar, only 30 out of about 300 staff were in attendance on most days, another official said. Government workers employed to tend Srinagar's famous Dal Lake have not turned up for work in several weeks, officials said, and the water's surface has become clogged with weeds. Many schools are empty.
RESTRICTIONS REMAIN
The shutdown and restrictions are having an impact across all areas of society. Yesterday, rights group Amnesty International launched a campaign urging New Delhi to lift the communications blockade. "It has grossly impacted the daily lives of Kashmiri people, their emotional and mental well-being, medical care, as well as their access to basic necessities and emergency services. It is tearing families apart," said Aakar Patel, head of Amnesty International India. With tourists avoiding the region, hotel owners say occupancy rates are close to zero. Srinagar's historic Jamia Masjid mosque has been closed for a month. Kashmir's postal service is heavily disrupted, and online retailers, including Amazon, say their operations in Jammu and Kashmir remain suspended. Pharmacists say there are shortages of some drugs because of logistical problems, particularly thyroid, diabetes, anti-depressant and cancer drugs.
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