India's August 5 move has turned Jammu Kashmir into jail, says PM

(Karachi) Prime Minister Imran Khan has said that India's August 5 move to revoke Kashmir's special status has turned the valley into a jail, media reported on Tuesday.

The PM said that the economy of Jammu Kashmir has been destroyed due to year-long lockdown. "India is in grip of Hindutva and RSS perception which is threatening peace and stability in the region," he maintained.

Imran highlighted that 0.8 million Indian troops have been deployed in held valley who are blatantly violating human rights and torturing innocent Kashmiris. He said that the people of Pakistan stand with Kashmiri brethern in their struggle for freedom.

Situation in Occupied Kashmir took an ugly turn when India withdrew constitutional provisions on August 5 that gave Jammu and Kashmir more autonomy than any other Indian state.

In retaliation to Modi's government’s move, India flooded the region with additional troops, and imposed curfew-like restrictions to keep a lid on protests.

Although many curbs, including those on movement have been eased, mobile telephone and internet connections in the Kashmir valley, home to around seven million people, remain cut off.

New Delhi insists that its move in August was essential to integrate Kashmir fully into India and bring development to the Himalayan region, but there is anger and discontent among many locals over the decision.

Despite the curbs, Kashmiris came out on to the streets, and many shops and other commercial establishments in the held valley remained mostly shuttered in protests against the withdrawal of the special status.