Two US lawmakers have expressed serious concern over the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Jammu and Kashmir and have sought immediate release of illegally detained people and an end to curfew.
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In their letter to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, lawmakers Pramila Jayapal and James McGovern demanded that international media and independent human rights observers be immediately allowed in the territory to investigate reports of human rights abuses.
They urged the Secretary of State to press India to immediately end the communication blockade in Jammu and Kashmir and release the detained people. The lawmakers also called upon India to uphold democratic values and religious tolerance.
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Additionally, a group of US senators has urged Donald Trump to urge Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end the on-going clampdown in the Kashmir Valley.
Senators Chris Van Hollen, Todd Young, Ben Cardin, and Lindsey Graham wrote to Trump on Thursday requesting him to promptly intervene to help end the “humanitarian crisis” in the Jammu and Kashmir.
“With each passing day, the situation for the people of Kashmir becomes increasingly difficult. Therefore, we ask that you [Trump] call upon Prime Minister Modi to fully restore telecommunications and internet services, lift the lockdown and curfew, and release Kashmiris detained pursuant to India’s revocation of Article 370,” wrote the senators in the letter.
Unconfirmed reports indicate that at least 4,000 people have been detained in J&K and held under the Public Public Safety Act – under which authorities can detain someone for up to two years without charge or trial.