Day 6 of the Indian military siege: 10 August 2019

The media and communications blockade of Kashmir by India continues into the seventh day. Some news trickles out:

• Reports of 10’000 protestors on the streets.
• Reports of use of tear gas, pellet guns and live ammunition by Indian forces against protestors; injuries.
• Mass arrests; over 900 people arrested including Mian Qayoom of the Kashmir High Court Bar Association and Mubeen Shah of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce.
• The paucity of news in this update underlines the fact that Kashmir is cut off from the world, under a complete military takeover by India.

We will continue to post updates as they become available, at this blog and on twitter @kashmirscholars

A useful collection of resources on the aftermath of the revocation of Article 370 from Critical Kashmir Studies can be found here.

Also on twitter @_Faysal

Analysis and opinion

Jostein Hole Kobbeltvedt, Rafto Foundation: “From bad to worse in Kashmir. Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide must work to ensure that the situation is addressed by the UN Security Council.”
Samreen Mushtaq in TRT World: “The violent misogyny that partners India’s stripping of Kashmiri autonomy.”
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty in The Wire: “Biryani With Locals: What Ajit Doval’s Visuals From Kashmir Tell Us.”

The UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye: “A view on the Kashmir internet blackout.” 

News

Nicola Careem, BBC: WATCH: Despite government saying reports of protests in Saura were completely fabricated, see exclusive BBC footage here for the truth. Thousands marched, police fired on protesters, dozens injured 10 August 2019

The Leaflet: Kashmir Times editor moves Supreme Court seeking media freedom in Valley.

Thewire.in: In Srinagar Hospital Ward, Pellet Victims Belie Official Claims of ‘Calm’.

The Irish Times: Police in Kashmir use tear gas as at least 10,000 protest

Times of India: J&K govt shifts 20 more ‘troublemakers’ from Kashmir to Agra; Mian Qayoom among 25 flown out on Thursday

Kamaldeep Singh Brar in The Indian Express: “Religious duty of Sikhs to protect Kashmiri girls: Akal Takht Jathedar”

Statements

Phil Bennion
Lib Dem MEP for West Midlands region
“…condemn outrageous move by India to revoke autonomy of Kashmir. We stand with Kashmiris. LibDems will be moving urgency resolution seeking very strong action…”

Richard Corbett
Leader, Labour MEPs. Yorks&Humber
“The Kashmir issue has long been neglected by the international community, despite the very clear UN Security Council resolutions that require the issue to be settled by a referendum of the Kashmiri people themselves.”

Liz McInnes
Labor MP and Shadow Foreign Minister
“Today I have written to Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab to ask what representation he has made to the Indian Government regarding their unilateral decision to abolish #Kashmir’s special status, and what discussions he has had with the UN over this increasingly volatile situation.”

Julie Ward
Labour Co-op MEP NW England
“I strongly condemn India’s illegal and unconstitutional revocation of Article 370 to annexe Kashmir. I call on the European Union and Member States to work with the Indian and Pakistani governments as well as the people of Kashmir and Jammu, including the diaspora community, to ensure that the conflict does not escalate.”

Lee Rhiannon
@leerhiannon, former MP New South Wales, Australia
“#IndianGovernment stands condemned for acts of brutality and human rights abuses in #Kashmir. Modi regime may cut off mobile and internet, bring in more troops but they can not destroy Kashmiris fight for self-determination. #StandwithKashmir #EndKashmirBlockade”

Faisal Rashid
Labour MP, UK
“Over 45 MPs and peers have co-signed my letter calling on @UN Secretary-General @antonioguterres to intervene and prevent India’s unconstitutional attack on Kashmir’s autonomy. The international community must #StandWithKashmir”

MEPs, Irina von Wiese, Shaffaq Mohammed, Phil Bennion, Judith Bunting, Chris Davies, Antony Hook, Martin Horwood, Lucy Nethsingha and Sheila Ritchie appeal to the High Representative of the EU, Ms Federica Mogherini to act on escalating situation in Kashmir.