HRCP asks world to take notice of worst lockdown in IoK

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Human Right Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has asked UN and world community to take immediate notice of the worst lockdown by Indian forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir for the last 147 days. HRCP Chairperson Dr Mehdi Hasan said the cold weather has added to the woes of the oppressed Kashmiris. He said due to the lockdown, people of the occupied valley were unable to stock essential commodities for the winter season. He said the UN should take notice of the shortage of basic commodities due to restrictions in occupied Kashmir amid deployment of thousands of Indian troops. On the other hand, the miseries of the residents of the Kashmir Valley continued unabated as they remained besieged on 147th consecutive day, today, in IoK. According to the KMS, as restrictions under Section 144 remain enforced amid deployment of thousands of Indian troops, the people of the Valley are cut off from their immediate surroundings and the entire world due to ban on internet, text messaging and prepaid mobile services. The harshest cold weather has added to the woes of the besieged people as they couldn’t stock essential commodities for the winter season. As per a centuries-old practice, usually the inhabitants of the Valley used to store food stuff and firewood in abundance for the winter as the Srinagar-Jammu Highway – the only surface link of the region with the rest of the world – remains mostly closed due to snowfall and rains in the months of December and January. However, this time around, they could not do so due to military lockdown which is in force since 5th August. The students and businesses are the worst sufferers of continued suspension of the internet services since 5th August, this year. Hundreds of students, who aspire to appear in various competitive examinations, have to make frequent visits to the internet kiosks set up in offices of deputy commissioners of some districts.