Citizen group demands that curfew in Kashmir be lifted

More than 100 citizens from diverse professional backgrounds in Mumbai and elsewhere in India issued a statement on Tuesday to draw attention to the curfew, alleged media-gag and abuse of the executive machinery by the State in Kashmir. They have demanded immediate lifting of the curfew and end to violence against civilians in Kashmir, opening of channels for political dialogue in consultation with all stakeholders. Among the signatories are Admiral Ramdas, filmmakers like Anand Patwardhan, Surabhi Sharma and Kamal K.M., editors and journalists like Anuradha Bhasin, Binu Matthew, K..Muralidhar Reddy, writers and poets such as Hartman De Souza and Meena Kandaswamy.

“We, the undersigned, are dismayed over the ongoing crisis in Kashmir. We have watched in horror and shock the repetitive cycle of state aggression leading to violence, deteriorating state of civil liberties, violation of fundamental rights and ever escalating loss of human life and dignity in Kashmir. We therefore call on all readers and human rights organisations to unequivocally condemn the siege of Kashmir,” the statement said.

The demands include, among others, immediate lifting of curfew and stoppage of violence against civilians in Kashmir and to open channels for political dialogue in consultation with all stakeholders.