The continued lockdown

It’s been exactly 30 days today since residents of IOK were cut off from the entire world

It’s been exactly 30 days today since the residents of occupied Kashmir were cut off by New Delhi from the entire world, and internally as well. That the government of Narendra Modi is scared of lifting the brutal restrictions it had imposed on August 5 while revoking the special status accorded to the occupied state under its constitution is pretty evident. While the Indian rulers are historically aware of the determination of the Kashmiris, they are unlikely to have forgotten a recent show of resilience by the unarmed freedom fighters that came in the wake of the martyrdom of young Burhan Wani on July 8, 2016. The curbs in Kashmir are, therefore, set to continue into another month, with a callous disregard for the lives of some seven million men, women and children that are truly at risk.

The Burhan Wani martyrdom had, meanwhile, triggered an unprecedented uprising that refused to die down for more than a week after which New Delhi moved to impose curfew restrictions in many parts of the occupied state. The restrictions — on supplies and communication channels — were lifted after 53 days, but the unrest continued for eight months in 2016 and 2017. More than 90 civilians were martyred during what is regarded as “Kashmir Intifada” while around 15,000 others were injured, many of them blinded, as Indian security forces used pellet guns, teargas shells, rubber bullets, as well as assault rifles in their bid to control the unrest. Two security personnel also died while more than 4,000 personnel were injured.

Also called the Burhan aftermath, the Intifada has energised the freedom movement in Kashmir and serves as a constant reminder to New Delhi of the unparalleled resilience of the Kashmiris who carry no weapons, except for small pieces of rocks and stones, but can fight a much mightier enemy — an enemy that is armed to the teeth — till the last drop of their blood. So whenever it happens, the lifting of the oppressive curbs is unlikely to go without a violent response — and an endless one this time.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 3^rd, 2019.

Like Opinion & Editorial on Facebook, follow @ETOpEd on Twitter to receive all updates on all our daily pieces.