The Indian government has revoked the special status of Indian-administered Kashmir in its constitution, the most far-reaching political move on the disputed region in nearly seven decades.
A presidential decree issued on Monday revokedArticle 370 of India's constitution that guaranteed special rights to the Muslim-majority state, including the right to its own constitution and autonomy to make laws on all matters, except defence, communications and foreign affairs.
In the lead-up to the move, India sent thousands of additional troops to the disputed region, imposing a crippling curfew, shutting down telecommunications and internet, and arresting political leaders.
The move has worsened the already-heightened tensions with neighbouring Pakistan, which said it would downgrade its diplomatic relations with India.
Both India and Pakistan claim Kashmir in full but rule it in part. The nuclear-armed neighbours have fought two of their three wars over the disputed territory.
Here are all the latest updates:
Friday, August 9
Protests expected in Pakistan, Srinagar
Authorities in Pakistan and Srinagar in Indian-administered Kashmir are bracing for protests on Friday.
Al Jazeera's Kamal Hyder, reporting from Islamabad, said two protests were scheduled in the Pakistan capital after Friday prayers.
"Organisers of one protest have threatened to march to the Indian High Commission which is located in Islamabad's red zone," he said.
Priyanka Gupta, reporting for Al Jazeera from New Delhi, said the government was monitoring the situation in Kashmir very closely.
"The Friday prayers took place under heavy security. There have been sporadic clashes in the last four days but we're expecting more protests happening later on Friday," she said.
Demonstrations against India's move in Kashmir have been taking place across the world.
Great to join fellow Kashmiris here in Manchester yesterday to protest against the revocation of #Article370 by India. We need to ensure that the people in Kashmir are able to live freely, and be given back their rights! #StandwithKashmir
See Afzal Khan MP's other Tweets
Thousands flee border villages along LoC
Thousands of villagers living along the heavily militarised Line of Control (LoC) dividing Pakistani and Indian-administered Kashmir have migrated to safer places in fear of artillery fire exchanges across the border.
"There is fear in the area and residents are preparing to leave their homes if a cross-border exchange of fire takes place. The LoC is just three kilometres from where we are," Muhammad Mukhtar, a 38-year-old vet, told Al Jazeera.
Read more here.
Curfew to be eased for Friday prayers
The strict curfew in Kashmir that has entered a fifth day will be eased for Friday prayers, the police chief said.
"People will be allowed to go to the area-specific mosques for the prayers in most parts of the Srinagar city," the region's police chief, Dilbagh Singh, told The Associated Press.
The relaxing of the curfew was temporary but a precise timeframe was noy given.
Pakistan FM visiting 'trusted friend' China over Kashmir
Pakistan's Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi is visiting China as part of efforts to pressure India to reverse its decision revoking the special status of the disputed region of Kashmir.
Shah Mahmood Qureshi will meet with Chinese leaders on Friday. Before leaving for Beijing, Qureshi said he will apprise Islamabad's "trusted friend" about the situation.
Kashmir's streets silent as people's despair and rage gro
Silence cloaks the centre of Srinagar on Friday, its once-teeming streets blocked with spools of concertina wire. Every road is sealed off. The population has been forced indoors while thousands of Indian soldiers in camouflage are on patrol, carrying guns at their waists.
Friday marks the fourth day since the main city in Indian-administered Kashmir is under siege.
Muslim worshippers are expected to attend Friday prayers at mosques across the region later on Friday.
0 Comments
Post a Comment