Tag: kashmir communication clampdown

FIR Against AMU Professor, Husband For ‘Inappropriate’ Facebook Post on Kashmir

A complaint was filed by a Hindu Mahasabha leader for the couple’s comments on the restrictions imposed on communication in Kashmir.

New Delhi: Police have registered an FIR against an Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) assistant professor and her husband who lives in Jammu and Kashmir for sharing “inappropriate” social media posts on the Kashmir Valley.

According to the Times of India, a Hindu Mahasabha leader filed the complaint on the basis of which the FIR was registered. The leader claimed he found Huma Parveen and husband Nayeem Showkat’s Facebook comments “inappropriate”. The police told the newspaper that “they are probing the case” and will file a chargesheet only if there is “some merit in the allegation”.

The complainant, Ashok Pandey, cited two Facebook posts of the couple to support his case. According to TOI, Parveen’s post said, “Sach me sampark toot jana kitna khatarnak and dukhad hota hai? Chahe Chandrayan ho ya Kashmir (Really, losing connection is so dangerous and painful. Whether it is from Chandrayaan, or from Kashmir).” Showkat’s post read, “Toilet is on your mind and Kashmir is in encounter site.”

The FIR was registered under Sections 153A (promoting enmity) and 505 (2) (statements promoting enmity) of IPC at Aligarh’s Gandhi Park police station. The complaint was filed on November 14.

The FIR says that the couple’s posts were “encouraging” terrorism in Kashmir and “bringing down the morale of the military personnel posted there”. “These posts are threat to the integrity and unity of the nation,” the complaint alleges.

Parveen told TOI that she was “shocked” to hear that a case had been registered. “I was heartbroken, as I was not able to contact my husband during the clampdown in the Valley. I had not written anything inappropriate and only shared a few posts written by others. I have a young daughter and my emotions of losing connection with family can’t be described in words,” she told the newspaper.

Since August 5, when the Centre diluted Article 370 and revoked Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, restrictions on movement and communication have been imposed in the Valley. While postpaid services have been restored, landlines, internet and prepaid services continue to be suspended.

Aligarh SSP Aakash Kulhary said though the FIR was lodged, a chargesheet will be filed only after a “detailed investigation”. He said that the IPC sections were imposed on the basis of screenshots provided by the complainant.

In other parts of India, cases have been registered against people for posting “sensitive” comments on social media about the situation in Kashmir. On August 29, the Jammu and Kashmir police filed a case against five persons who reside in Rajouri and Poonch districts for posting “sensitive remarks” on Facebook. The police said their comments could disturb law and order in the state.

According to reports, the Centre has asked law enforcement agencies to “monitor” social media platforms and identify “those spreading rumours or hateful content online” in the aftermath of the decision to revoke J&K’s special status.

The agencies were asked to “keep a tab” on people circulating false narrative on social media “that might lead to violence in the Valley”.

Resume Political Engagement in Kashmir, Schedule Elections at Earliest: US to India

The state department reiterated concern about continuing detentions of local politicians.

New Delhi: The US has again called for India to resume “political engagement” with Kashmiri leaders and schedule elections at the “earliest opportunity”, even as it reiterated concern about continuing detentions of local politicians.

The latest statement comes just after a week the US had first raised publicly the need for the Indian government to allow “normal” political activities in Jammu and Kashmir following the imposition of restrictions on communication and movement following the reading down of Article 370 of the Indian constitution.

On August 29, the US embassy spokesperson said that they welcomed Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s statement that “Jammu and Kashmir will soon return to normal political status”.

The use of the phrase “normal political status” was interpreted to include both early elections and a return to state status for Jammu and Kashmir, which was an aspiration that the prime minister held out in his address to the nation on August 8.

In a statement released on Friday (India time), US state department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus stated for the first time explicitly that India should hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir soon.

“We continue to be very concerned by widespread detentions, including of local political and business leaders, and the restrictions on the residents of the region. We are also concerned about reports that internet and mobile phone access continues to be blocked in certain regions,” she said.

Ortagus then stated that the US wants respect for human rights, restoration of communication services and scheduling of elections.

“We urge authorities to respect human rights and restore access to services such as the internet and mobile networks.  We look forward to the Indian government’s resumption of political engagement with local leaders and the scheduling of promised elections at the earliest opportunity.”

Also Read: No Resolution in Sight, Kashmir’s Problems Are Being Increasingly Made Invisible

The US had first raised the issue of detentions through the briefing of an unnamed administration official in the run-up to the meeting between Modi and Trump at Biarritz, France. But, soon after that, American officials have twice given on-the-record statements referring to the situation within Jammu and Kashmir.

The US has provided key support to India to fend off pressure at the United Nations Security Council from China to hold an open meeting on the Kashmir issue.

The US agrees with India that the change in Jammu and Kashmir is an internal matter for India. But, Washington has also pronounced that the administrative changes have “broader implications” along with “potential for increased instability in the region”.

The US has publicly stepped back from President Donald Trump’s offer to mediate the crisis. However, Trump during his meeting with Modi had indicated that he was pushing for direct talks between India and Pakistan.

“We spoke last night about Kashmir. The prime minister really feels he has it under control…I know they speak with Pakistan, and I’m sure that they will be able to do something that will be very good.  We spoke about it last night at great length,” said Trump on August 26.

What Happens When Your House Catches Fire and You Can’t Call Emergency Services

In Srinagar, the Dar family say the damage caused to their house could have been limited if not for the continued clampdown.

Srinagar: On August 20, the 18-member Dar family were preparing to sleep after dinner in their three-storey house in Alouchi Bagh area of Srinagar. Mohammad Shafi, 49, the eldest in the family was watching the news on TV, hoping for information about the rest of the Valley.

While Shafi continued to browse through the channels, family members wished each other a good night and went to their rooms. As no news filtered in on Kashmir, Shafi also went to bed.

At around 1:30 am, Shafi’s daughter Nighat Jan, 21, woke up to use the bathroom. She heard sounds of a short circuit on the electric pole located a few feet away from their home. A few moments later, she saw that the corner of their house was in flames. Jan rushed to wake up the other family members.

Also Read: Stuck in Hospital After Losing a Child, Waiting 3 Days for 1 Call: Life in Kashmir Today

As all the family members came out of their rooms, they found that the house was engulfed in flames. They started shouting for help, and some neighbours responded. The family and neighbours tried to reach the fire services, but because of the shutdown of communication services, their efforts were unsuccesful.

“Some of the neighbours tried to dial 101, but all calls failed,” Shafi said, standing in the debris of his house, in a sinking voice. Only a few charred walls are left standing, while the ground is filled with charcoal and ash.

The Dar house was engulfed by fire on August 20. Photo: Saqib Mugloo

Communication blockade

On August 5, the Indian parliament diluted Article 370 of the Constitution, scrapping the special status afforded to Jammu and Kashmir. It also passed a Bill to reorganise the state, dividing it into two Union Territories: Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.

During the three weeks that have passed since, the Kashmir valley continues to be under restrictions and communication systems remain suspended. The clampdown and communication blackout has been termed as the worst in the history of Kashmir and has caused unprecedented trauma and trouble for the inhabitants of the valley.

Dar’s family was one of the many in Kashmir to have suffered losses as a result of the communication blackout.

Also Read: Stuck in Hospital After Losing a Child, Waiting 3 Days for 1 Call: Life in Kashmir Today

According to Shafi, the family rushed to the fire service station at Batamaloo in Lal Chowk, some 3.5 kilometres from their house. Because of the clampdown, roads were cordoned off, while there were stone blockades on others. This prevented them from reaching the station quickly. By the time the fire control vehicle reached their home, the flames had spread to neighbouring houses.

“It took them almost two hours to control the fire, as the three gas cylinders in the house exploded and created more damage,” said Shafi. “Everything turned to ashes.”

On the balcony of his neighbour’s house, Shafi’s sister-in-law Waheeda Imtiyaz broke down. “We have nothing but the clothes we are wearing. We lost everything. Who can help us now?” Waheeda asked, looking over at her ruined house.

Waheeda Imtiyaz showing the wounds inflicted by the fire. Photo: Kaisar Andrabi)

She pointed to the embers of a rack in the tall debris. She said the books used by her son, who is studying engineering, were all burnt in the fire.

Like Imtiyaz, the grief of losing all their savings and more importantly, their shelter, also weighed heavily on Shafi. Two of his daughters were to get married in the next three months.

“You know how Kashmiri marriages are conducted. We lost jewellery, cash and other items stored for my daughters. We could not save anything,” he sighed.

Shafi blamed the communication blackout for losing his house and savings. He believes that if the situation had been normal in the valley, the losses could have been limited. “If we could call them, the fire services would have reached our house in 10-15 minutes. Because we had to go to the station, the fire destroyed everything,” he complained.

Imtiyaz Ahmad shows the burn injuries on his feet. Photo: Kaisar Andrabi

‘Blockade has damaged delivery of services’

Since the revocation of Article 370 and Article 35A, the Fire and Emergency Headquarters in Srinagar has received 40 reports of fires in the Valley. Sixteen were from Srinagar district.

Talking to The Wire, divisional fire officer Tasaduiq Ahmad said the communication blockade has hindered emergency services. “Authorities should have at least provided landline connection, and the phone number for emergency services should have been functional. But they handed us wireless connections. How will people call us on wireless sets?”

He agreed that the shutdown is resulting in more damage for the victims of fire accidents. Out of the 16 incidents reported in Srinagar, only one was communicated through the police control room. In the 15 other cases, the families – like the Dars – had to visit the service station, Ahmad said.

Also Read: Ground Report: Agony and Casualties in the Valley in the Immediate Aftermath of Shutdown

Shafi told The Wire that the fire, apart from causing huge property damage, also left four family members injured. One person suffering serious injuries.

“My brother Mohammad Altaf, 38, an auto driver by profession could not move out of the house quickly,” Shafi said. “As the fire cornered him, he jumped from the first floor and received fractures and severe burn injuries.”

The family has been forced to find lodgings elsewhere. Some are sleeping in the courtyard of another neighbour, in a makeshift shed.

Delegation of Opposition Leaders Sent Back from Srinagar

The aim of the delegation had been to take stock of the situation in the state, where restrictions have been in place since the first week of August.

New Delhi: A delegation of opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Sitaram Yechury, D. Raja, and Sharad Yadav, who attempted visiting Jammu and Kashmir on August 24, was sent back upon reaching Srinagar. 

The aim of the delegation had been to take stock of the situation in the state, which has practically remained under a communication shutdown, following the Union government’s move to bifurcate the state into two union territories and dilute Article 370 a fortnight ago.  

The 12-member team caught a flight on Saturday at around noon from New Delhi and reached Srinagar just before 2:30 pm. 

The delegation comprised of:

Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi and senior party leaders Ghulam Nabi Azad, K.C. Venugopal, and Anand Sharma

Communist Party of India general secretary D. Raja

Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary Sitaram Yechury

Trinamool Congress leader Dinesh Trivedi

Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam’s Tiruchi Siva

Rashtriya Janata Dal’s Manoj Kumar Jha

Loktantrik Janata Dal president Sharad Yadav

Nationalist Congress Party’s Majeed Memon

Janata Dal (Secular)’s D. Kupendra Reddy

After they were refused permission to visit the region, which has been under lockdown for almost 20 days, the leaders issued a statement to the Budgam district magistrate. They said the objection to their movement and apprehensions about their visit were “baseless”. “They are tantamount to allegations against the purpose of our visit,” they said.

The statement issued by the leaders. Photo: Special arrangement

The leaders said they had arrived at the invitation of J&K governor Satya Pal Malik. ON August 12, Malik said hit out at Rahul Gandhi for remarks that there were reports of violence in Kashmir. The governor said he would “send him an aircraft to visit the valley and observe the ground situation”. Gandhi accepted the invitation and said he would visit along with a delegation of opposition leaders.

However, Malik backtracked and accused Gandhi of trying to “politicise the issue”. In a statement, the office of the governor said, “Rahul Gandhi is politicising the matter by seeking to bring a delegation of Opposition leaders to create further unrest and problems for the common people. As he has put forth many conditions for J&K, the Governor is referring the case to the local police and administration to examine the request further.”

Previous developments

On Friday, the opposition staged its first combined protest against the government for stripping Jammu and Kashmir of its special constitutional status. It had decided to send a team to Srinagar to assess the situation in Kashmir soon after this.

This is the first concerted effort by the combined opposition to register its protest outside the halls of the Parliament against what it called a “unilateral and unconstitutional” decision of the government to bifurcate the state and read down Article 370. 

Earlier, many leaders including Yechury, Raja, Azad had tried visiting the Valley separately but were forced to return from the airports after being denied entry.

The parties later issued statements to condemn the government’s “high-handed” moves to deny senior political leaders entry in Jammu and Kashmir. 

Also read: Is the BJP Fuelling Kashmiri Separatism for Electoral Gains?

Earlier this week, DMK became the first regional party to agitate at New Delhi’s Jantar Mantar against continued detention of all political leaders in Kashmir. The Dravidian party demanded immediate release of all mainstream political leaders, who have been under arrest for over two weeks. 

The government has been claiming that it has eased the curfew conditions and has been making efforts to restore normalcy in the state. Last Monday, schools were reopened and shops were allowed to function. But the government has not yet hinted at even a minor reduction of military troops, which almost tripled in the days preceding its announcement of reading down Article 370. Political activists and social workers are still under detention and there are reports of security forces violently clamping down on all forms of protests.  

Soon after the opposition announced the decision to visit the state, the Jammu And Kashmir information and public relations department tweeted to say that political leaders should “not visit Srinagar as they would be putting other people to inconvenience” at a “time when the government is trying to protect the people of Jammu and Kashmir from the threat of cross border terrorism and attacks…”

However, Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad expressed surprise at the tweets and said that the delegation comprised “responsible” senior leaders who had no intention to break any law.

“We are all responsible political parties and leaders. We are not going to break any law. The Jammu and Kashmir situation is very concerning. It’s close to 20 days. No news for 20 days. The government says the situation is normal. But then they don’t allow leaders to go? Haven’t seen such contradiction… If it’s normal, why aren’t we allowed?” Mr Azad said as he left for the airport this morning in Delhi, news agency ANI reported.

Senior leader Sharad Yadav also said that they don’t need permission from anyone to visit a place in their own country.