Ex-Kashmir chief's daughter: We're caged like beasts

By Ahmad Adil

SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir (AA) - Kashmiris have been deprived of basic human rights, said daughter of former chief minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

“Kashmiris have been caged like animals and deprived of basic human rights,” Iltija Javed, daughter of Peoples Democratic Party’s President Mehbooba Mufti, wrote in a letter to India’s Home Minister Amit Shah.

"I also have been placed under detention at my residence. We are not even told when visitors are turned away from the gate and I am not allowed to step out either. Odd, since I am not affiliated to any political party and have always been a law abiding citizen.

“However, the security personnel have cited my interviews to various media portals and newspapers as the reason for my detention. In fact, I’ve been threatened with dire consequences if I speak up again," Javed said in the letter dated Aug. 15.

She noted that the region is “gripped with fear” as all lines of communications have been snapped.

“For the world’s largest democracy, doesn’t a citizen have a right to speak up in the face of unimaginable repression […] it is tragic that I am being treated like a war criminal for stating the inconvenience truth,” said the daughter of former chief minister.

“I am being treated like a criminal and I am under constant surveillance. I fear for my life along with those Kashmiris who have spoken,” she added.

There has been a massive crackdown on political leaders including that of pro-India parties since Aug. 5 when India scrapped special status of Jammu & Kashmir.

Two former Chief Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir are currently under detention, while an India parliament member and President of National Conference Party Farooq Abdullah is under house arrest.

Kashmiris fear that the move is aimed at changing the demography of the Muslim-majority region and its cultural identity. India, for its part, contends that the special status earned Kashmiris nothing but terrorism and isolation.