APD | India: Thousands detained in Kashmir since crackdown

By APD writer Rishika Chauhan

According to recent reports nearly 4000 people have been detained in Kashmir since the security restrictions were imposed there in early August.

The count is an estimation made by studying government data on Kashmir. Security restrictions were imposed after August 5, as the former province of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated into two union territories.

While India said the issue was an internal matter, the decision sparked tensions with Pakistan.

Pakistan has raised the issue in the UN and citing human rights violations in Kashmir by the Indian security forces.

According to reports, among those detailed 200 are politicians, including two former chief ministers of the province.

Another 100 are believed to be leaders from different political parties and activists. Nearly 3,000 detailed have been arrested on the pretext of stone pelting and other mischiefs.

Further reports say that of those detained nearly 2,600 have been released.

Meanwhile there has been resistance of government action. A report quoted Aakar Patel, the head of Amnesty International India explaining, "The communication blackout, security clampdown and detention of the political leaders in the region has made it worse."

He further said, "The right to life is the most important human right."

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)