Fact finding mission paints gloomy picture of IOK, banned from sharing videos

A team of Indian activists and members of leftist organizations have visited the Indian occupied Kashmir (IoK) region under complete lockdown. The group has raised more concerns about the safety of Kashmiris after their visit of the region that has remained under military blockage since August 4.

On August 15, the day India celebrates its Independence, ‘Black Day’ was observed globally on call of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to protest the decision by the Indian government to strip Kashmir of its special autonomous status. On the very same day, a team of Indians comprising of writers, economists and activists were sent on a five-day fact finding mission to observe the conditions in IoK, reports USA Today.

According to local media reports, Kavita Krishnan, a left- wing activist said that the situation is ‘absolutely not normal’, as opposed to claims by Indian news channels. Having visited some villages and small towns, Krishnan said, "There is a sense of imprisonment and if some people of the media are saying all is well then the only thing we could think of saying was ‘all is hell’."

Meanwhile, Modi in his independence day message has promised to restore Kashmir’s ‘past glory’ by removing Article 370 and 35A.

Ahead of the press conference by the group, The Press Club of India in New Delhi banned the sharing of any footage from IoK, after they described it as ‘desolate, quiet, silenced and caged’, reported India Times.

The group has also gathered several videos of a gloomy Eid-ul-Azha in IoK, where telecommunications systems have been shut since August 4 and the region remains under military lockdown.