2019–2020 Jammu and Kashmir lockdown

2019–2020 Jammu and Kashmir lockdown refers to a security lockdown and communications blackout imposed to prevent protests during which thousands of people, mostly young men, have been detained in Jammu and Kashmir.[2][3][4] The government stated that the lockdown is aimed at curbing terrorism.[5]

2019-2020 Jammu and Kashmir Lockdown
Part of the Insurgency in Kashmir
and Kashmir conflict
Date5 August 2019 - Ongoing (1 year and 6 days) (372 days)
Location
Jammu and Kashmir
Caused byRevocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir
MethodsCurfew, Communications and Media blackout
Casualties
Arrested~4000[1]

The lockdown started on 5 August 2019 following Revocation of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir via scrapping of the Article 370 of the Constitution of India, Article 35A of the Constitution of India and the introduction of Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.[6][7] Since 5 August, no foreign journalists have been granted permission from the Indian government to report in Kashmir.[8]

According to a September 6 report of the Indian government, nearly 4,000 people have been arrested in the disputed region. Among those arrested were more than 200 politicians, including two former chief ministers of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), along with more than 100 leaders and activists from All Parties Hurriyat Conference.[1]

On 1 October 2019, a three-judge bench consisting of Justices N. V. Ramana, Ramayyagari Subhash Reddy and Bhushan Ramkrishna Gavai of the Supreme Court of India, heard seven petitions on the lockdown.[9]

On 3 October 2019, journalists in Kashmir staged a sit-in protest against the communications blackout describing the blockade of the internet and mobile phones as a 'gag'.[10]

On 4 October 2019, the Indian government denied US Senator Chris Van Hollen's request to travel to Kashmir.[8] Meanwhile, Sandeep Pandey, an education reformer, and other activists who were on an informal fact-finding mission were also barred from leaving the airport in Srinagar.[8] The same day, during protests people chanted pro-Pakistan slogans and demanded an end to what they described as "Indian occupation of their territory".[11]

On 24 October 2019, amid a boycott by most parties and with many mainstream local politicians still in detention, village council elections were held across J&K. However, political scientist Noor Ahmed Baba called it "more like an artificial exercise".[12]

Prepaid mobile services were barred for the 85th consecutive day on 28 October, for at least 2.5 million prepaid cell phone users in Kashmir.[13]

On 25 January 2020, 2G internet connection was restored to across Jammu & Kashmir, although only certain 'whitelisted sites' could be accessed.[14]

While some of the initial restrictions were eased, India enforced another lockdown in March to fight the transmission of coronavirus.[15]

On Indian Independence Day, 15th August 2020, 4G connection is set to return to Kashmir. A phased return to 4G access on a district by district basis is being planned.[16]

Reactions
  •  United States – Alice Wells, the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs, said in a statement that the U.S. hopes "to see rapid action – the lifting of the restrictions and the release of those who have been detained". She added that the U.S. is "concerned by widespread detentions, including those of politicians and business leaders, and the restrictions on the residents of Jammu and Kashmir".[18] U.S. lawmakers Ilhan Omar,[19] Rashida Tlaib[20] and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez[21] have also called for an end to the communications blockade. President Donald Trump volunteered to mediate the issue of Kashmir between India and Pakistan but only if both countries accepted his offer.[22]
  •  Pakistan – Pakistan said it will "downgrade" diplomatic ties with India, dismiss the Indian ambassador, and halt bilateral trade with New Delhi.[23]
  •  China – China said it was very troubled about the state of affairs in Jammu Kashmir. Hua Chunying urged both countries to show restraint and act sensibly. She said India and Pakistan should abstain from further escalatory measures that would alter the existing state of affairs in the region. She called on both countries to settle the dispute through dialogue in order to preserve peace and stability.[24]
  •  Turkey - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that the abolition of Kashmir's sovereignty worsened the situation for Kashmiris. Further, he stated the issue of Kashmir is as important to Turkey as it is to Pakistan.[25]
  •  United Arab Emirates - Dr. Al Banna, the UAE ambassador to India said his country acknowledged the latest events in Indian-administered Kashmir. He stated that this restructuring was not an unprecedented occurrence in the history of India and that the decision was intended to decrease regional inequality and enhance efficiency. He labeled India's latest decision in Kashmir a domestic issue.[26]
  • Organization of Islamic Cooperation - OIC Secretary-General Dr. Yousef Al-Othaimeen, reaffirmed the OIC's pledge to peacefully settling the Kashmir issue. At the same time, he asked the international community to increase its efforts to aid Kashmiris in their struggle for human rights. The organization called on the United Nations to pressure India to abide by UN resolutions and encouraged India to employ dialogue to calm the tensions. Lastly, the organization requested India to seize security raids, honor human rights, abstain from altering the demographics of Kashmir, and settle the conflict with the help of the United Nations.[27]
  • Amnesty International – The NGO for human rights started an online petition titled Let Kashmir Speak demanding a lifting of "the blackout of communications in Jammu and Kashmir" while letting "the voices of the people of Kashmir be heard" and allowing "unconditional and unconstrained access to news and information from the valley".[28]
  •  United Nations – The United Nations' special rapporteur on freedom of expression, David Kaye, said in a statement that "there's something about this shutdown that is draconian in a way other shutdowns usually are not".[29] Antonio Guterres raised concern over the new limitations placed on Kashmir, adding the latest events "could exacerbate the human rights situation in the region." He also urged both sides to exercise restraint and asked India and Pakistan to de-escalate the situation.[30]
  •  Iran – The Iranian government expressed concern over the situation in Kashmir following the lockdown, urging India and Pakistan to engage in dialogue as regional partners and resolve the situation peacefully.[31] On August 21, 2019, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tweeted: “We have good relations with India, but we expect the Indian government to adopt a just policy towards the noble people of Kashmir and prevent the oppression & bullying of Muslims in this region.”[32]

References
  1. "Thousands detained in Indian Kashmir crackdown, official data reveals". Reuters. 12 September 2019.
  2. "At Least 2,300 People Have Been Detained During the Lockdown in Kashmir". Time. 21 August 2019.
  3. "Kashmir city on lockdown after calls for protest march". The Guardian. 23 August 2019.
  4. "Inside Kashmir's lockdown: 'Even I will pick up a gun'". BBC. 10 August 2019.
  5. "India PM defends Kashmir decision". 9 August 2019.
  6. "Restrictions eased as Kashmir enters Day 22 of lockdown". The Economic Times. 26 August 2019.
  7. "No respite in sight as J&K lockdown enters 25th day". The Asian Age. 30 August 2019.
  8. "US Senator Barred From Kashmir as Lockdown Enters 3rd Month". Voice of America. 5 October 2019.
  9. "J&K shutdown: 3-judge SC Bench to hear 7 pleas". The Hindu. 1 October 2019.
  10. "60 days of lockdown: Kashmir journalists protest against clampdown, demand restoration of internet". India Today. 3 October 2019.
  11. "Kashmir under lockdown: Anger over 'unacceptable burdens'". Al Jazeera. 5 October 2019.
  12. "India holds Kashmir elections despite lockdown, boycott". Washington Post. 24 October 2019.
  13. "Kashmir lockdown: Pre-paid mobile services barred for 85th day". The Economic Times. 28 October 2019.
  14. "2G mobile Internet services restored in J&K". The Hindu. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  15. "Curfew in Kashmir ahead of autonomy revocation anniversary". Al Jazeera. 4 August 2020.
  16. Rajagopal, Krishnadas (11 August 2020). "Jammu and Kashmir to get limited 4G access". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  17. "India to allow tourists in Kashmir, but they likely won't have access to internet or phones". Aijaz Husain, Associated Press. global news.
  18. "US wants Kashmir restrictions lifted". Al Jazeera. 1 October 2019.
  19. "US congresswoman calls for 'immediate restoration of communication' in occupied Kashmir". Dawn. 27 August 2019.
  20. "US congresswoman condemns India's 'unacceptable actions' in occupied Kashmir". Dawn. 14 September 2019.
  21. "Communications blockade in occupied Kashmir must end: US lawmaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez". Dawn. 1 October 2019.
  22. "US President Trump reiterates offer to mediate Kashmir crisis". Al Jazeera. 24 September 2019.
  23. "Pakistan to downgrade ties with India over Kashmir move". Al Jazeera. 7 August 2019.
  24. "Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's Remarks on the Current Situation in Jammu Kashmir". www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/. 6 August 2019.
  25. "India's 'unilateral steps' add to Kashmir's troubles – Erdogan". TRT World. 14 February 2020.
  26. "UAE Ambassador to India reacts to Kashmir decision". Khaleej Times. 6 August 2019.
  27. "OIC Contact Group Renews Commitment for a Peaceful Settlement of Jammu and Kashmir Issue". www.oic-oci.org/home/?lan=en. 22 June 2020.
  28. "Let Kashmir Speak". Amnesty International.
  29. "Kashmir: India's 'draconian' blackout sets worrying precedent, warns UN". The Guardian. 8 August 2019.
  30. "UN concern over Kashmir lockdown as hundreds reported arrested". Al Jazeera. 8 August 2019.
  31. "Iran urges India, Pakistan to resort to 'dialog, peaceful methods' amid Kashmir tensions". Press TV.
  32. "Iran issues rare criticism of India over Kashmir". Atlantic Council. 30 August 2019.
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