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An Indian soldier in a convoy in Srinagar, August 18, 2019. Thousands of people have been arrested in Indian Kashmir for fear that unrest has occurred since the revocation of Indian Kashmir's autonomy two weeks ago. Punishes PARANJPE / AFP

In India, we know a little more about the opposition crackdown in Kashmir. According to government sources, more than 4,000 politicians, academics and human rights activists have been arrested for two weeks in a preventive manner. The government claims that this is done to ensure peace and security in the wake of the controversial abrogation of Kashmir autonomy.

With our correspondent in New Delhi, Sébastien Farcis

Since last August 5, the democratic debate has died in Indian Kashmir. That day, New Delhi announced the unilateral abrogation of Kashmir autonomy without consulting the people. In the following days, all the local politicians who do not belong to the Hindu Nationalist Party in power in New Delhi are arrested by the army, on the grounds that they would have voted against this repeal and would represent a risk for public order.

Among the detainees are the three former heads of the regional government. New Delhi has recognized the arrest of a hundred people. A much larger roundup, in fact, that would have affected more than 4,000 people. Academics, human rights activists or lawyers, all the influential voices that could challenge this radical decision, were targeted.

Communications cut for two weeks

Since all communications have been cut off for two weeks, it is almost impossible to know who has disappeared. Kashmir jails would overflow and detainees would be flown out of the region.

These arbitrary arrests are carried out in accordance with the Kashmir Public Security Act, which allows detaining a person for two years without formal accusation or trial.

► See also - Kashmir: clash between Indian and Pakistani military at the border