Srinagar (India) (AFP)
At least 4,000 people have been arrested in Indian Kashmir since the revocation of autonomy of the territory by New Delhi two weeks ago, due to fears of demonstrations, government sources told AFP.
They were arrested under the law on public security, told AFP a magistrate speaking on condition of anonymity. This controversial law allows the authorities to imprison a person up to two years without charge or trial.
In this territory also claimed by Pakistan, the tensions remain alive since August 5, when India revoked the constitutional autonomy of the part of Kashmir it controls.
"Most of them (the detainees) were evacuated by plane from Kashmir because the prisons have no capacity," said the magistrate, adding that he had used a satellite phone that had him has been awarded to collect figures from colleagues across the territory.
A blackout on communications and heavy traffic restrictions had been imposed by the Indian authorities the day before the announcement on 5 August of the revocation of Article 370 of the Constitution, which conferred this special autonomy status to the Himalayan region.
© 2019 AFP