ISLAMABAD: In occupied Kashmir, people staged forceful demonstrations in central, north and south Kashmir, on Friday against Indian occupation and repeal of special status of the territory by Narendra Modi-led communal Indian government.
Soon after Jumma congregational prayers, people took to the streets in Srinagar, Bandipora, Baramulla, Kupwara, Islamabad, Pulwama, Kulgam, Shopian and other areas of the occupied territory. They raised high-pitched pro-freedom and anti-India slogans, Kashmir Media Service reported.
Indian troops and police personnel fired teargas shells and pellets on protesters at several places, injuring many of them. The occupation authorities had imposed restrictions in Srinagar, Kupwara, Handwara, Ganderbal, Islamabad and Bijbehara areas to prevent demonstrations. The authorities did not allow people to offer Jumma prayers in many major mosques, including Srinagar’s Jamia Masjid, Dargah Hazratbal, Dastgir Sahib, Charar-e-Sharif and Jamia Masjid Kishtwar.
Meanwhile, normal life remained paralysed in the Kashmir valley on the 47th consecutive day. The residents are virtually observing civil curfew to register their protest against scraping of special status of occupied Kashmir by the Indian government. All markets, business establishments, shops and educational institutions remained closed while transport was off the road. Presence of government employees in the offices remains thin. Communications links, including internet and mobile phone services remain suspended and TV channels closed in Kashmir valley and Muslim-majority areas of Jammu.
The Jammu and Kashmir Peoples League in a statement issued in Srinagar said that Indian government’s move to repeal the special status of Kashmir was actually confession of its defeat in the territory. The party spokesman Molvi Rafique condemned the arrest of Hurriyat leaders and activists and the move of shifting them to different jails of India.
