Srinagar, September 29, 2019 (PPI-OT): In occupied Kashmir, restrictions have been further intensified particularly after Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan’s powerful speech on Kashmir at the United Nations General Assembly on Friday. Police vans fitted with speakers are making public announcements in Srinagar and other parts of the territory warning people against defying restrictions. Additional troops have been deployed and access to the markets blocked with concertina wires to prevent protests. All shops, transport, internet and other channels of communication continue to remain suspended as Kashmiris are facing a crippling 56-day lockdown imposed by India.
Meanwhile, Indian troops killed another youth in custody, raising the toll to seven during the past 48 hours in the occupied territory. The troops arrested the youth, Sajjad Ahmad Malik in Arwani area of Kulgam district and martyred him in custody. Earlier, during cordon and search operations the troops martyred three youth in Ganderbal and three in Ramban district in Jammu region.
Al Jazeera TV reported that Prime Minister Imran Khan’s aggressive speech touched a chord with many Kashmiris reeling under the unprecedented communications blackout and travel restrictions in place since 5th of August in the territory. The report said that firecrackers were burst and slogans shouted in Srinagar and elsewhere in the territory since Imran Khan ended his belligerent speech at the United Nations. Police recorded at least 15 late night protests and eight daytime incidents of stone-pelting and clashes with Indian forces over the past 48 hours in Srinagar. Several youth managed to enter mosques and used their public address system to raise anti-India slogans and play freedom songs. The forces fired teargas shells to break up the protests.
A retired government official, Abdul Majid, in a media interview in Srinagar said that he felt a solace in his heart when Prime Minister Imran Khan delivered the speech at the UN. Adil Ahmad, another resident, said, people now have a reason to continue their resistance as they feel Pakistan is willing to take a risk for Kashmir.
A statement issued by the Centre for Peace and Progress at the end of the discussion in New Delhi said that termination of the special status for Kashmir and the bifurcation of the territory has put the people under great political stress and opened chances of international intervention. Former chief of Indian spy agency, Research and Analysis Wing, A.S. Dulat said that he was skeptical about the chances of normalcy returning to the Kashmir Valley.
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