Advertisement
On the ground in Kashmir, feelings of loss, betrayal and helplessness as Srinagar remains in lockdown
- Srinagar residents say they feel robbed by New Delhi’s decision to revoke their Muslim-majority state’s seven-decade-long autonomy
- A communications blackout and curfew have left Kashmiris in disarray, fearing the Hindu nationalist government’s next move
Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
0
“You need to stay inside, don’t come out!”
The warnings are being bellowed at homes from large speakers mounted on jeeps in the streets of Srinagar, the summer capital of Indian-administered Kashmir, as the territory remains on lockdown.
Residents of the besieged city say they feel lost and robbed of their rights after India’s decision to revoke the local government’s seven-decade-long autonomy. Amid fears of unrest over the move, authorities have imposed a telecoms and media blackout along with a curfew. More than 38,000 troops have been deployed to the already heavily militarised state.
Journalists have little means of travel or reporting, and Kashmiris outside the state say they have been unable to contact family and friends. But this reporter, who saved his article to a USB stick later brought out of the area, spoke to several residents on the ground, who called New Delhi’s decision an attack on both their identity and property.
“The Indian government is only worried about non-Kashmiri tourists and the students who are in Kashmir, but not the Kashmiris,” said a man using the pseudonym Qurat Malik. He only disclosed that he was an employee of a major corporation.
Advertisement