Observer Report
New Delhi
Amnesty International India on Monday cautioned that New Delhi’s decision to revoke Indian-occupied Kashmir’s special status “without consulting [the region’s] stakeholders and amidst a complete clampdown on civil liberties” could lead to increased tension in the region.
“The unilateral decision of the Government of India to revoke the special status of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) under the Constitution of India without consulting J&K stakeholders and amidst a complete clampdown on civil liberties and communications blackout is likely to inflame prevailing tensions, alienate the people in the state and increase the risk of further human rights violations,” read a press statement that was released after Indian President Ram Nath Kovind signed an order revoking Article 370 of the constitution. The rights group pointed out that the revocation of Article 370 is “expected to cause unrest and wide-scale protests in the state” .