Occupied valley remains shut for 59th consecutive day

In occupied Kashmir, normal life continues to remain badly hit on the 59th successive day, today, with heavy military deployment, restrictions and communications blockade in place in the Kashmir Valley and Muslim majority areas of Jammu region.

All markets and educational institutions are closed while public transport is off the road. The residents continue to face shortage of essential commodities including food and medicines. People living in far-flung areas are particularly facing immense difficulties to access medical care.

Due to suspension of the internet services, the online stores operating from the Kashmir Valley are out of business, affecting the livelihood of hundreds of entrepreneurs as their business is entirely dependent on the internet.

Meanwhile, according to the data compiled by the Research Section of Kashmir Media Service, the troops martyred 16 Kashmiris including a woman and two young boys during the last month of September. Of those martyred six youth were killed in fake encounters.

The killings rendered one woman widowed and two children orphaned. During the period, 281 people were injured due to the firing of bullets, pellets and teargas shells on peaceful protesters by Indian troops and police personnel.

As many as 157 people including Hurriyat activists and youth were arrested. Twenty five residential houses were destroyed during siege and search operations during the month.

Meanwhile, Indian police have confirmed the detention of scores of children as young as nine years old in occupied Kashmir since 5th of August when Indian government revoked Kashmir’s special status and imposed a lockdown.