- Title: "We don't have freedom" -- despair in Indian Kashmir on Independence Day
- Date: 15th August 2019
- Summary: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA (AUGUST 15, 2019) (REUTERS) DESERTED CITY SQUARE WITH BARRICADES IN THE DISTANCE, POLICEMAN WALKING POLICEMEN TOWER AT LAL CHOWK AREA VARIOUS OF BARBED WIRES ON ROAD AS POLICEMEN PATROL IN THE BACKGROUND CLOSED SHOPS AT A LARGELY DESERTED MARKET AREA DOGS ON A STREET WITH CLOSED SHOPS (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) SRINAGAR RESIDENT, IRSHAD AHMED BUTT, SAYING: "We are facing a lot of difficulties. We do not celebrate Independence Day. Everything is shut down here. You won't be allowed to go anywhere. Everything is locked down." MAN RIDING A BIKE AS SECURITY PERSONNEL STAND ON GUARD ARMED TROOPER ON GUARD (SOUNDBITE) (Urdu) SRINAGAR RESIDENT, ABDUL REHMAN LONGU, SAYING: "We do not have any freedom or anything. We have been suppressed with the use of force." BARBED WIRES AND ARMED SECURITY ON GUARD POLICEMEN WALKING
- Embargoed: 29th August 2019 09:19
- Keywords: Jammu and Kashmir security closed shops India Article 370 Article 35A Independence Day freedom
- Location: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- City: SRINAGAR, JAMMU AND KASHMIR, INDIA
- Country: India
- Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace
- Reuters ID: LVA001ASBW85J
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Silence and anxiety prevailed in the restive Kashmir Valley, a stark contrast from the rest of India which is celebrating its 73rd Independence Day on Thursday (August 15).
Frustration is growing in Muslim-majority Kashmir, which is also claimed by Pakistan, over India's move to curtail autonomy for the state of Jammu and Kashmir, including lifting a ban on non-residents buying property.
"We do not have any freedom or anything. We have been suppressed with the use of force," said a resident of Srinagar, Abdul Rehman Longu.
Another resident, Irshad Ahmed Butt said they were not allowed to go anywhere with everything being locked down.
The streets were largely deserted with markets being closed and communication in lockdown. Heavy security was deployed all over the city to prevent any untoward incident.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party has long campaigned to abrogate Kashmir's special privileges in the constitution, which it sees as a measure of appeasement to Muslims that hinders development.
(Production: Bhushan Kumar, Sunil Kataria) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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