The Kashmir Scholars Consultative and Action Network (KSCAN), is an interdisciplinary group of scholars from various countries and regions engaged in research on the region of Kashmir. Each of us has written about Kashmiri history, society, culture, and politics, and their relation to the protracted conflict; and we are particularly concerned about the present conditions of violence. Our research on the Kashmir conflict addresses its history, its consequences for the region and beyond, and its possible resolution. It has implications for an internationally mediated political solution and is of relevance to policy makers.
The lockdown that started on 5 August is still ongoing: mobile networks, broadband services, and landlines are still down and news are still limited. Curfew is still ongoing in many places. Majority still unable to access basic services. Public transport is not working and road blocks still in place. Emergency services, such as ambulances, are …
Continue reading "Day 9 of the Indian military siege: 13 August 2019"
Eid ul Azha is honoured in Kashmir, but few celebrations can take place with curfew and communication blockade still in place for the eighth day: The usual open air large-scale Eid prayers are forbidden. Instead some small mosques have been open and allowed for prayers.Reports of some men being able to walk in pairs to …
Continue reading "Day 8 of the Indian military siege: 12 August 2019"
First day of Eid ul Azha (Eid Qurban)Curfew and communication blackout still ongoing for seventh day.Shops were forced to keep closed. "Shoot at sight" order by J&K Police No Eid celebrations allowed.A low number of people succeed to call relatives from outside Valley through police stations and helplines. Analysis Kavita Krishnan, The Independent: "Modi’s act of …
Continue reading "Day 7 of the Indian military siege: 11 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 …
Continue reading "Day 6 of the Indian military siege: 10 August 2019"
As of the fifth day of the Indian military takeover of Kashmir, the Valley remains cut off, prisons are overflowing, patients are dying because ambulances cannot get through to the barely-functioning hospitals and protesters are being injured and killed by Indian forces. While Indian televisions channels and reporters roam freely with the help of the …
Continue reading "Day 5 of the Indian military siege: 9 August 2019"
August 7, 2019 Ms. Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Ms. Agnes Callamard, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Mr. Michel Forst, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Mr. Fernand de Varennes, …
August 5, 2019 H.E. Mr. António Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations Executive Office of the Secretary-General S-3800, United Nations Secretariat Building New York, NY 10017 Re: Request for immediate intervention of the UN in the Kashmir crisis Your Excellency, We, the members of Kashmir Scholars Consultative Network, are once again reaching out to you because …
Continue reading "Request for immediate intervention of the UN in the Kashmir crisis"
March 18, 2019 H.E. Mr. António Guterres Secretary-General of the United Nations Executive Office of the Secretary-General S-3800, United Nations Secretariat Building New York, NY 10017 Re: The UN must live up to its responsibility to mediate a peaceful settlement of the Kashmir conflict Your Excellency, We are writing in the wake of the crisis created …
Mr. Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Palais Wilson 52 rue des Pâquis CH-1201 Geneva, Switzerland. Re: Urgent action needed to end state violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir We are writing to you to express our concern about the situation in Indian-controlled …
Continue reading "Letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights"
Kashmir Scholars Consultative and Action Network KSCAN 