ISLAMABAD:In Occupied Kashmir, strict military siege continues on the 35th consecutive day, today (Sunday), as all markets, schools and colleges are closed while transport is off the road.
There is no internet service, and mobile phone connections are snapped in the Kashmir valley. The valley has no connection with the rest of the world due to continued blockade and suspension of communication services since 5th of last month.
Markets and stores remain closed in a silent form of protest. Nearly all Kashmiri political leadership is under arrest.
The curfew and restrictions have also rendered the residents with acute shortage of essential commodities like baby food and life-saving drugs and hospitals without medicines and surgical equipment.
Patients are scrambling for medicines while doctors face immense difficulties to reach the duty places. The clampdown has also ‘crippled local journalists, overwhelmingly disabling them from reporting the ground situation.
The authorities have also announced that no Muharram procession will be allowed in the occupied territory, fearing that these gatherings could turn into anti-India demonstrations.
The announcement has been made despite the fact that it has been the age-old practice across Kashmir that on 8th and 10th of Muharram, huge processions were taken out from different areas of Srinagar and other parts of the valley to commemorate the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain(AS) and his companions who were martyred in Karbala.