Kashmir Update

The former Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the erstwhile Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir was very busy in September and October. Authorised to take decisions on approval of infrastructure and other projects passing through forested land, the FAC has approved diversion of over 727 hectares of designated forest land between September 18 and October 21.

For years, Romi Jan’s mornings would begin with the plaintive call to prayer that rang out from the central mosque in disputed Kashmir’s largest city. The voice soothed her soul and made her feel closer to God.

Yesterday, I introduced a bipartisan House Resolution with @Rep_Watkins to urge the Indian government to end restrictions on communications

World cannot ignore the massive HR violations by the Occupied Indian Forces in Indian Occupied Kashmir

On Human Rights day we must appeal to the world’s conscience, to upholders of international law & to the UNSC to act against the illegal annexation of IOJK by the Indian Occupation govt

For the 18th consecutive Friday, no Friday prayers were held at Jamia Masjid. While the police claimed that there were no curbs in place around the historic Masjid, the Anjuman-e-Auqaf said until security forces were removed from all entry and exit gates, no prayers will be held at the Masjid.

Socialist Equality Party candidate for the Sheffield Central constituency Chris Marsden spoke at a general election meeting organised at the Madina Masjid, the first purpose-built mosque in Sheffield.

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has issued notifications banning civilian constructions and repairs near the army’s field ordnance depots in various Valley districts except if they are approved by the army or top district officials, triggering fear that it could be a prelude to evicting thousands of residents from their homes.

Kashmiris enduring their region’s ongoing internet blackout are losing their WhatsApp accounts because of the platform’s policy on inactive accounts.

Azad Jammu Kashmir President Sardar Masood Khan has said that India has illegally revoked Articles 35-A and 370 that altered the existing demography of the Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) in a move that can be termed as Occupational Constitutionalism.