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Lockdown devastating Valley: US House panel

NEW DELHI:While China softened its tone on Kashmir, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee offered a sharp criticism of the Indian Government communication blackout and the restrictions on the movement of citizens in the Valley.

Lockdown devastating Valley: US House panel


New Delhi, October 8

While China softened its tone on Kashmir, the US House Foreign Affairs Committee offered a sharp criticism of the Indian Government communication blackout and the restrictions on the movement of citizens in the Valley.

The lockdown is having a “devastating impact” on the lives and welfare of Kashmiris, said the panel, adding that, “it’s time for India to lift these restrictions and afford Kashmiris the same rights and privileges as any other Indian citizen”. The US House of Representatives will accommodate the unease expressed by over three dozen of its members over the situation in Kashmir by holding a hearing of its subcommittee on Asia on October 22.

Apart from private human rights activists, who have been extremely critical of Delhi’s over-two-month lockdown of Kashmir Valley, Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells and a Deputy Assistant Secretary Scott Busby will also testify.

“We have invited other State Department officials and we also expect to hear from on the issues,” said Sherman.

On September 30, as many as 14 Members of Congress had asked PM Modi to immediately lift sanctions on Kashmir. This was followed by 35 members of Congress asking US Ambassador to the UN Kelly Craft to seek mediation between India and Pakistan to defuse Kashmir situation.

In fact, there is an uncanny similarity between the expectations from India set forth by Wells as well as US Congressmen and Senators. Both want India to rollback widespread detentions, including those of politicians and business leaders, and the restrictions on the residents of Jammu and Kashmir.

They also expect India to resume political engagement with local leaders and the scheduling of the promised elections at the earliest opportunity.  And, both sides wait for PM Modi’s commitment that changes in the status of Kashmir will improve lives of Kashmiris.

The hearing will focus on Kashmir Valley, where many political activists have been arrested and daily life, the Internet, and telephone communications have been interrupted. The hearing will also review the humanitarian situation in Kashmir and whether Kashmiris have adequate supplies of food, medicine and other essentials.

There are storm signals about Kashmir in the US Senate as well. Said to be extremely close to US President Donald Trump, Senator Lindsay Graham and three of his colleagues — Chris Van Hollen, Ben Cardin and Todd Young—asked the President to “immediately facilitate an end to the current humanitarian crisis” in Kashmir. Except for Hollen, the other three are members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The US Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee has included Kashmir’s humanitarian crisis in its report ahead of the annual Foreign Appropriation Act 2020 which was submitted by Graham.

“In August, I had an opportunity to meet Americans from Kashmir Valley in San Fernando Valley, along with my colleague Congressman André Carson (D-IN). We heard stories of difficulties encountered by my constituents and others, and the fears they have for their loved ones. Since then I have had several additional meetings with Kashmiri Americans. I look forward to learning more about human rights in Kashmir,” said Congressman Sherman.

The hearing will also focus on the Tamils of Sri Lanka, the human rights situation in Pakistan, including the Sindh Province and Muslims in Assam. — TNS

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