Fear, uncertainty continue to grip IoK on 78th day

SRINAGAR (92 News) – The environment of fear and uncertainty continues to grip the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IoK) as well as Muslim majority areas of Jammu region and Ladakh division due to the ongoing Indian military lockdown, which entered 78th straight day, on Monday. According to the KMS, besides ban on internet across all platforms, prepaid cellular services continue to remain suspended. Shops and business establishment except for few hours in the morning and evening continue to remain shut, educational institutions are deserted and public transport is off the roads. Presence of government employees in the offices remains thin. The shutdown is seen as a mark of silent protest against India’s occupation and its Aug 5 illegal move. Besides hitting hard lakhs of customers, particularly students, professionals and media persons, the total gag on internet is severely affecting health services in the territory. There is a shortage of life saving drugs as the internet shutdown makes it difficult for chemists to place online orders and receive deliveries on time. Fear environment has been maintained to stop and harass the people from asking about their rights of self determination. Amid growing demand of post-paid connections in the Kashmir valley, all the major telecom operators have been ordered by the authorities not to convert pre-paid SIM cards into post-paid ones in the territory. The decision not to convert pre-paid SIM cards into post-paid ones comes close on the heels of strict directions issued by the Indian police to all the telecom operators in the Kashmir. Public transport continues to remain mostly absent and only private vehicles and those with special permits can be seen on the roads. Offices remain almost empty and there are virtually no students in schools and colleges which reopened recently. Many believe that the continued shutdown is due to popular anger at India’s Aug 5 unilateral action, comparing it to a campaign of civil disobedience. Earlier, the youth were killed in a fake encounter by the troops during cordon and search operations in Pazalpora area of Islamabad district. The martyred youth have been identified as Nasir Chadro, a resident of Arwani, Aaqib Ahmad Sheikh of Redwani and Zahid Ahmad from Bijbehara.