A spine-chilling account of the situation in Kashmir has gone viral-- and here's how it stacks up against the government narrative

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A spine-chilling account of the situation in Kashmir has gone viral-- and here's how it stacks up against the government narrative
  • A Reuters Correspondent Devjyot Ghoshal said, "The situation is NOT normal in Kashmir" following a series of tweets on July 13.
  • People in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir's Capital had to beg the military personnel to go out of the region, reported New York Times
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It's been nine days since the Indian government revoked section 370 and 35A that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir, triggering protests. And, there is no change in the status of communications blackout and curfew.

A Reuters Correspondent Devjyot Ghoshal said, "The situation is NOT normal in Kashmir" following a series of tweets on July 13.


The Supreme Court of India said that the government needs more time to restore normal life in Kashmir during a hearing of a petition seeking to lift ban on communication services, reported Reuters.

The Indian government official earlier claimed that the situation is ‘normalising’ in Kashmir. But, a few media agencies say otherwise.


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The same day, the Ministry of Home Affairs spokesperson Vasudha Gupta tweeted saying, “The restrictions in Jammu & Kashmir are being eased out in a phased manner in the Valley and the situation in the Jammu division has been restored after assessment by relevant local authorities.”

The local police too assured that the situation is under control. They said, “There have been only a few pellet injuries that have been treated.”

“This is obviously a sensitive week, we have a major festival today, we have our independence day on August 15,” said Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale assuring that the situation will ease when the law and order improves.


However, Muslim majority Kashmir is angry and furious.

They were reportedly unable to celebrate Eid because the local authorities backed by thousands of paramilitary forces were keeping tight security, reported South China Morning Post.
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The Indian government blocked all the telephone lines, internet and television networks on August 5, just before they abolished the section. Telephone services were restored in Jammu today. However, the government is yet to restore the services in Kashmir.


Kavita Krishnan, Secretary of the All India Progressive Women's Association, claims that the situation is not what most media is claiming to be.

The Indian government accused top news agencies -- Reuters, BBC -- for reporting news which is "completely fabricated and incorrect".

According to BBC, the Indian government used tear gas to tackle a massive crowd protesting against its decision. It also said that the government denied it ever happened.

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People in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir's Capital had to beg the military personnel to go out of the region, reported New York Times. People were reportedly struggling to buy essential groceries like milk, the report said.

See also:
India accused the BBC and Reuters of lying about large-scale protests in Kashmir, even though they were recorded on video

The phone and internet blackout in Kashmir is so total that locals reportedly don't know India rewrote their constitution
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