Rebecca Ratcliffe in Delhi
The unprecedented communications blackout imposed on Indian-administered Kashmir could signal a departure in the way democratic states clamp down on information in contentious areas, the UN’s special rapporteur on freedom of expression has said.
“There’s something about this shutdown that is draconian in a way other shutdowns usually are not,” David Kaye told the Guardian.
The territory faces its fourth day in lockdown, imposed hours before the Indian government revoked Kashmir’s special status on Monday – stripping away the autonomy it was granted in exchange for joining the Indian union after independence in 1947. Delhi also said it would divide the state of Jammu and Kashmir in two.
Before the announcement, thousands of extra troops were deployed to Kashmir, where the government is likely to face major opposition. An insurgency against Indian rule has been waged for decades, and tens of thousands of people have been killed in the conflict.
Despite a heavy security presence and strict curfew, protests have occurred.
Communications are often blocked in Indian-administered Kashmir, but the most recent clampdown is unprecedented in a time of relative peace. Unlike previous instances, landline phones and cable TV have been cut off. A strict curfew also means people are unable to leave their homes during the day, while only limited movement has been allowed at night. The Guardian