WASHINGTON: Two US lawmakers have expressed concerns over the situation in Kashmir, and urged US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to convince India to immediately end the communication blockade and release those who have been detained.
In a letter to Secretary Pompeo dated September 11, Pramila Jayapal, the first and the only Indian-American Congresswoman in the House of Representatives, and Congressman James P McGovern said the international media and independent human rights observers must immediately be allowed into Jammu and Kashmir.
“We urge you to work across the Administration to press the Indian Government to immediately end its communications blackout of Kashmir, expedite the process of reviewing and releasing individuals ‘preventatively’ detained, ensure hospitals have access to life-saving medicines and protect the rights of the Kashmiri people to freedom of assembly and worship,” the letter states.
The two lawmakers told Secretary Pompeo that they have significant concerns about the “crisis” in Kashmir.
“In particular, we are concerned about credible reports from journalists and advocates on the ground that the Indian government has detained thousands of people with no recourse,” they said.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revoked the constitutional autonomy of occupied Kashmir on August 5 and imposed a military curfew in the area to quash dissent.
Thousands have been detained since and reports of Indian forces torturing detainees are also pouring in.
“We also urged the Indian Government at its highest levels to make it clear that religious tolerance – long a principle of Indian history and democracy – must be upheld,” the two lawmakers wrote in the letter.
Sharing the letter on Twitter, Ms Jayapal said: “I continue to be deeply concerned about credible reports of a humanitarian crisis in Jammu & Kashmir. Even in complex situations, we look to strong democratic allies like India to uphold basic human rights and due process.”
I continue to be deeply concerned about credible reports of a humanitarian crisis in Jammu & Kashmir. Even in complex situations, we look to strong democratic allies like India to uphold basic human rights and due process.
Read my letter with @RepMcGovern to @SecPompeo ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/sVwVwXFyWy
— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@RepJayapal) September 11, 2019
