Ahead of Trump’s visit, four top US senators have written to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, expressing concern about Kashmir lockdown and CAA.
New Delhi| Ahead of US President Donald Trump’s India visit this month, four top US senators have written to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, expressing concern about the internet restraints in Kashmir more than six months after Jammu and Kashmir’s special status was revoked under Article 370, as well the preventive detentions of political leaders and other civilians in a huge number.
In their letter, the senators also express concern over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act or CAA that triggered protests across the country.
Last week, the Public Safety Act was invoked against two former Chief Ministers, Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti, to extend their confinement. The stringent law allows detention without trial for up to three months and multiple extensions.
“More than six months after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government unilaterally revoked the autonomy of Jammu and Kashmir, the government continues to block most internet in the region. India has now imposed the longest-ever internet shut down by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business, and education for seven million people. Hundreds of Kashmiris remain in preventive detention, including key political figures.”: the US Senators wrote to the secretary of the state.
“These actions have severe consequences. That is why, in the Fiscal Year 2020 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations report, the Congress urged the Indian government to:
(1) fully restore telecommunications and internet services;
(2) lift its lockdown and curfew; and
(3) release individuals detained pursuant to the Indian government’s revocation of Article 370 of the Indian constitution.” they added.
Donald Trump and Melania Trump will arrive for a two-day India visit on February 24. They will begin their visit with a grand event in Ahmedabad in PM Modi’s home state Gujarat.
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