Restore life to normalcy in occupied Kashmir, India’s SC orders govt

NEW DELHI: The Indian Supreme Court has ordered the government to restore normalcy in occupied Kashmir, after more than 40 days since curfew-like restrictions have been imposed in the territory.

A hearing on a petition filed by child rights activists was conducted by the bench of Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi and justices SA Bobde and SA Nazeer, who asked authorities to restore normalcy in the valley and ensure people get access to welfare facilities.

The Supreme Court also said that restoration will be on a selective basis, keeping in mind India’s national interest. The top court stated that since the restrictions were imposed in the occupied valley itself, the issue can be dealt by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

Representing the Indian government, Attorney General KK Venugopal brazenyl stated in court that not a single bullet had been fired in the occupied territory and that restrictions had been lifted in as many as 88 police stations.

The claims by the attorney general are in stark contrast with international media reports which have claimed that more than 4,000 people have been arrested in occupied Kashmir. A communications blockade and severe restrictions have caused people to suffer. Food and medicines are in short supply in the occupied valley, resulting in one of the most inhumane crisis in occupied Kashmir.

DG ISPR Major General Asif Ghafoor has said time and again that Pakistan would fight till the last bullet and the last soldier for the people of Kashmir.

Prime Minister Khan has warned Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi that if India commits any misadventure against Pakistan again, Islamabad would answer ‘every brick with stone’.