On the ground in Kashmir, feelings of loss, betrayal and helplessness as Srinagar remains in lockdown
- Srinagar residents say they feel robbed by New Delhi’s decision to revoke their Muslim-majority state’s seven-decade-long autonomy
- A communications blackout and curfew have left Kashmiris in disarray, fearing the Hindu nationalist government’s next move
“You need to stay inside, don’t come out!”
Journalists have little means of travel or reporting, and Kashmiris outside the state say they have been unable to contact family and friends. But this reporter, who saved his article to a USB stick later brought out of the area, spoke to several residents on the ground, who called New Delhi’s decision an attack on both their identity and property.
“The Indian government is only worried about non-Kashmiri tourists and the students who are in Kashmir, but not the Kashmiris,” said a man using the pseudonym Qurat Malik. He only disclosed that he was an employee of a major corporation.
“They have deployed so many troops here only to make sure every one of their own people moves out [of the region] safely. This is unfair and shows the bias of India towards Kashmiris,” he added.