Tehreek Shabab-e-Muslimeen Jammu and Kashmir has expressed grave concern and strong condemnation over the ongoing state repression, collective punishments, mass arrests of thousands of innocent civilians, demolition of homes, restrictions on religious freedoms and continuous violations of basic human rights in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir.According to Kashmir Media Service, in a detailed statement, Chairman of the Tehreek and incarcerated General Secretary of All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Maulvi Bashir Irfani, said that in the past few days nearly 3,500 innocent Kashmiri youth and civilians have been arrested under various black and draconian laws.

He added that raids on homes, search operations, intimidation, threats and collective punishment measures have witnessed an unprecedented surge across the Valley. Maulvi Bashir Irfani said hundreds of residential houses have been demolished in IIOJK in recent years. “Not just the bricks and walls were brought down, but the dreams, hopes and life savings of the families associated with those houses were also turned into rubble,” he said.

Many families are now forced to live under the open sky, while others are displaced to relatives’ homes, temporary shelters or unknown locations. Women, children, the elderly and the sick are the worst affected, facing severe mental stress, insecurity and economic hardship. He said it is alarming that even relatives, neighbors or philanthropists who try to help affected families financially, legally or on humanitarian grounds are subjected to harassment, questioning, threats and arrests.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)