“The US is very concerned by reports of detentions and restrictions in Kashmir”
WEB DESK
JUST three days after U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met in France and discussed the situation in Kashmir, American officials said they were “concerned” about the continuing communication restrictions and detentions in the Valley.
The US said the situation in Jammu and Kashmir is being watched and added that it is very concerned by reports of detentions and restrictions in Kashmir.
Calling for calm and restraint, a spokesperson of the US State Department said on Thursday, “We continue to be very concerned by reports of detentions and the continued restrictions on the residents of the region. We urge respect for human rights, compliance with legal procedures, and inclusive dialogue with those affected.”
“We continue to call for calm and restraint, including on rhetoric,” the spokesperson added.
In view of increasing ceasefire violations along the LoC after the abrogation of provisions of Article 370, the US said, “We call on all parties to maintain peace and stability along the Line of Control and to prevent cross-border terrorism. We continue to support direct dialogue between India and Pakistan on Kashmir and other issues of concern.”
The spokesperson added that the US “notes the broader implications of the developments in Jammu and Kashmir and the potential for increased instability in the region”.
India has maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part and the issue of withdrawing special status to the state and its bifurcation are strictly internal to the country. The US, meanwhile, has asked India and Pakistan to exercise restraint and hold dialogue to sort out differences.
The comments, which also addressed recent statements by Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan as well, said: “The United States is watching the situation in Jammu and Kashmir closely. We continue to call for calm and restraint, including on rhetoric…We note the broader implications of the developments in Jammu and Kashmir and the potential for increased instability in the region.”
The comments came on a day Human Rights Watch (HRW) issued a statement urging the government to lift the shutdown of telephones and Internet services in Jammu and Kashmir and alleging that the restrictions had resulted in “disproportionate harm on the population”.
A statement issued by HRW said, “broad, indiscriminate, and indefinite restrictions on fundamental freedoms, including the right to free expression and to provide and receive information,” violated international human rights law.
The government has maintained that the restrictions are necessary to prevent large-scale violence and to subvert terrorist threats. “Some international organisations trying to tell us how we should organise our matters,” said MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, “We completely reject such unsubstantiated statements.”