|
A group of Indian activists and members of leftist organisations has
called for the withdrawal of the government's move to revoke special
status of Indian-administered Kashmir. The group of activists,
economists and writers presented their observations of the situation in
Kashmir in the Indian capital New Delhi on Wednesday after returning
from a five-day trip to the disputed region.
|
 |
|
Kavita Krishnan, a left-wing activist, said the situation is "absolutely
not normal", contrary to reports by several Indian news broadcasters.
"There is a sense of imprisonment. There is a sense of being in prison.
And people are not being allowed to speak and the situation is extremely
grim over there," she said.
"We were able to go to villages as well as small towns also. So the
situation there is absolutely not normal. If some people of the media
are saying all is well … the only thing we could think of saying was all
is hell is a better description," said Krishnan.
Activist Maimoona Moolah urged the Indian government to "stop this
occupation" of Kashmir.
"The occupation of Kashmir will not work. Get rid of this occupation.
Put an end to the way press and people have been gagged there. And
return democracy to the region. Return Article 370 and 35(A)," she said.
"The whole place was desolate, quiet, silenced, caged. People looked
helpless. People looked humiliated. And people also looked angry."
Jean Dreze, a Belgian-born Indian economist, slammed claims of Kashmir
being backwards and needing investment from India and Indian companies.
"I have been to Kashmir four times since 2000 and every time, I am
struck by the prosperity of the people. Especially the rural population.
Especially in comparison with the catastrophic poverty and hunger of
states like Bihar and Jharkhand and UP [Uttar Pradesh] that I am
familiar with," he said.
|
|
|
The group compiled several videos of their trip showing deserted
streets, bereft of people even on the festive day of Eid al-Adha.
The Indian-administered portion of Kashmir has been under heavy security
and an unprecedented communication lockdown since August 5, when Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government decided to revoke
privileges of Jammu and Kashmir, including a right to their own
constitution.
|
|
|
Modi's government has called it a move to integrate the disputed region
into India, despite strong opposition from the people of Kashmir. |