Islamabad
Worcester’s Kashmiri community took to the streets to raise awareness of the ongoing situation in the Indian occupied Kashmir and the increased tensions between India and Pakistan. According to Kashmir Media Service the former Mayor of Worcester Count Jabbar Riaz and Labour’s parliamentary candidate Count Lynn Denham were among those outside the Guildhall to raise awareness of the ongoing conflict between the two nuclear super powers.
The latest move in the near seven decade long conflict was sparked in August 2019 when the Indian government revoked the special status accorded to Indian occupied Kashmir in its constitution, the most far-reaching political move on the disputed region in nearly 70 years.
A presidential decree issued on August 5 revoked Article 370 of India’s constitution which guaranteed special rights to the Muslim-majority state, including the right to its own constitution and autonomy to make laws on all matters except defence, communications and foreign affairs.
Thousands of additional Indian troops were also sent to the disputed region to impose a curfew while telecommunications and internet were also suspended. The peaceful demonstration on the streets followed meetings attended by Worcester MP Robin Walker on the situation both in Westminster and with members of the Kashmiri community in the city.—APP
