South Asia Human Rights Journalist Association

Washington, November 15, 2019 : The United States lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on human rights have once again expressed concerns about the grim situation in Jammu and Kashmir.   The United States (US) lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on human rights organized by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission once again expressed concerns on the continued restrictions, detentions and curbs on religious freedom in occupied Kashmir. Indian-American Congresswoman and Democrat, Pramila Jayapal, at the hearing said that she was deeply concerned by Indian government’s actions in Kashmir including detaining people without charge, severely limiting communications and blocking third parties from visiting. She was joined by other Democrats, Sheila Jackson Lee, David Trone and David Cicilline as well as Arunima Bhargava, commissioner from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom who criticized New Delhi for its moves in occupied Kashmir in the aftermath of the abrogation of the special status of the territory. Similar concerns were raised by a congressional hearing last month. Witnesses examined the situation in the occupied territory and recommended action by the Congress, similar to the last hearing held on October 22, 2019.

Srinagar, November 13, 2019: A shopkeeper was shot dead by unknown gunmen in Tral town of south Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Wednesday.Reports said that  during cordon and search operation the unknown gunmen fired upon a shopkeeper identified as Meiraj-ud-din, leaving him injured critically , however, he succumbed his injuries on the way when he was rushed to a nearby hospital. 

Srinagar November 12, 2019: Indian forces killed two  youth  in Ganderbal district. The two youth were killed during cordon and search operation in Kulan - Gund area of Ganderbal.  
The Indian police claimed and describing them as armed guerrillas or militants struggling for liberation from India. 

Srinagar, October 14, 2019: A non-Kashmiri truck driver Sharif Khan was killed by unknown gunmen in presence of huge Indian troops seen on roads at Shirmal in Shopian district.   

Srinagar, October 14, 2019: A non-Kashmiri truck driver Sharif Khan was killed by unknown gunmen in presence of huge Indian troops seen on roads at Shirmal in Shopian district.   

Srinagar, Oct 12, 2019: At least nine people including a woman were injured in a grenade blast at Hari Singh High Street in  Srinagar.The injured identified as Saba Malik wife of Tariq Ahmad Malik of Zoonimar, Bilal Ahmad son of Abdul Gani of Uri, Farooq Ahmad Kadla son of Ghulam Mohammad of Lal Bazar, Basit Ahmad son of Mohammad Iqbal of Batamalloo, Mohammad Yunis son of Mohammad Ismail Bhat of Bemina, Suhail Ahmad son of Ghulam Mohammad of Pampore Pulwama, Shahid Ahmad son of Ghulam Mustafa of Padshahi Bagh, Saifullah son of Ghulam Mohammad Bhat of Zaldagar and Abdul Rashid Wani son

JAMMU, Oct 6:, 2019: A woman has been gangraped by three persons in an area falling under the jurisdiction of Bishnah Police Station in Jammu. As per police sources, a lady hailing from Tehsil RS Pura lodged a complaint with Police Station Bishnah stating that three persons identified as Devinder Singh, son of Balbir Singh, Sachin Kumar, son of Sohan Lal and Ajay Kumar, son of Bhola Ram, all residents of Laswara took turns to rape her.

 Srinagar, November 9, 2019 : Restriction and shutdown affected life for the 99th consecutive day, today, across Kashmir in protest against abrogation of Article 35 A and 370 of the Indian constitution that conferred special status on the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir.  Indian authorities imposed restrictions and prohibiting assemble of four or more persons, police said. for the first time in the history, Milad gathering was banned at the Kashmir’s revered shrine of Hazratbal in Srinagar on the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW), the birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).Every year, thousands of people travel from far off districts of Kashmir to reach Hazratbal shrine on the 12th Rabi-ul-Awal for prayers and to have the glimpse of the holy relic of the Prophet (SAW). From the time immemorial, the holy relic was displayed after every prayer of the day on 12th Rabi-ul-Awal. However, this year, no gatherings were allowed at the shrine. The brutal act has hurt the religious sentiments of people of Kashmir, who have emotional and spiritual attachment with the shrine as it houses the holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW). The locals termed the move as direct interference in religious matters.