Kashmir under Indian siege .. tight security closure and the population is suffering

For the ninth consecutive day, Indian forces have imposed a near total closure of Kashmir after it abolished its own constitutional status.

Following a decision by the Hindu nationalist-dominated government of Narendra Modi on 5 June to abolish Kashmir's self-rule, Indian authorities imposed tight measures including the deployment of massive numbers of security and paramilitary forces, curfews, disruption of schooling, and Internet disconnection.

The closure is set to last until Thursday, when India celebrates its independence day. Security forces roam the streets in Srinagar and other cities in the province and block gatherings, leaving the streets virtually empty of bystanders.

Due to the closure and the security blockade, Indian troops only allowed a limited number of Kashmiris to perform Eid prayers yesterday in some mosques, while a senior Indian official said restrictions on communications would be eased when security stabilized.

Despite all the security tightening, hundreds of Kashmiris protested after the Eid prayers in Srinagar condemning the decision to abolish the special constitutional status of the disputed territory between India and Pakistan.

In an expression of the high tension in Kashmir, the demonstrators chanted slogans demanding freedom and the departure of India from the region.

After the decision to abolish the autonomy set by the Modi government in the context of what it calls the fight against terrorism, New Delhi sent to the region huge reinforcements of 25 thousand security forces and army.

The population is suffering
The Associated Press said that because of the security siege and curfew, Kashmiris are suffering from the scarcity of food and medicine, as most shops have closed their doors.

The agency noted that Kashmiris have been before the winter and during previous security campaigns less violent to store food, while they have been unable to move for more than a week.

An Indian official, meanwhile, denied reports of the suffering of the population, saying food, medical supplies and banking services were available.

The Indian decision to abolish the special constitutional status of Kashmir has angered Pakistan, which is seeking to mobilize anti-Indian positions to annex the region to India.

Pakistani officials and opposition leaders visited the Pakistani part of Kashmir, expressing their support for the population of the Indian-controlled part.

In the city of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Kashmir, which is controlled by Pakistan, marched out yesterday after Eid prayers condemning India's decision to abolish autonomy in the part controlled by it.

The protesters condemned what they described as human rights violations in Kashmir, and called on the United Nations to intervene to protect civilians and implement Security Council resolutions related to the Kashmir issue.

The Indian decision came after months of limited military confrontation between Pakistan and India across the line of fire in Kashmir.