European Parliament to discuss human rights violations in occupied Kashmir today

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BRUSSELS: The European Parliament will discuss today the ongoing crackdown, human rights violations, and torture of detainees in occupied Kashmir by Indian security forces. 

Communications blackout and a curfew has entered 44th day today in Indian-occupied Kashmir.

On Monday, the Supreme Court of India had directed the BJP-led government to restore normalcy in the valley.

Meanwhile, the chief justice of India on Monday said that he would visit occupied Kashmir, if needed, to check allegations of illegal detention of children by Indian forces in the valley.

Ranjan Gogoi, the chief justice, made these remarks while hearing a petition filed by Enakshi Ganguly, a child rights expert, and Professor Shanta Sinha, the first Chairperson of the National Commission for Child Rights (NCPCR) against illegal detention of children by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir since Aug 5 lockdown.

The petition also stated that children and teens aged between six and 18 years were facing hardships due to military lockdown in the valley.

The counsel for the petitioners replied that it was difficult to approach the local High Court in the valley due to lockdown, when  the chief justice instructed him to consult the concerned court.

Earlier on Sunday, a petition against illegal detention of children by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir was filed in the Supreme Court.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed by Enakshi Ganguly, a child rights expert, and Professor Shanta Sinha, the first Chairperson of the National Commission for Child Rights (NCPCR).

There are reports suggesting violations which include loss of life and freedom. These are very serious and demand judicial review of the ground situation regarding children, the petition says.

In the meantime, jails in the occupied Kashmir have ran out of capacity and now thousands of people detained without charges by Indian forces are being shifted via planes to other parts of the country.

Over 10,000 innocent people have been arrested by Indian forces over fears of unrest following the complete lockdown imposed in the valley on Aug 5.

India had abrogated Article 370 on August 5 withdrawing special status given to occupied Kashmir.

A local magistrate said last week that over 4,000 people had been arrested under the controversial Public Safety Act.