Over 100 activists, lawyers, academics, writers, film-makers and journalists demanded an end to the curfew and violence in Kashmir that had started after the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani in July.
In a statement signed by 170 people and 13 organisations, members of civil society said they were dismayed by the crisis in Kashmir, where over 100 people have lost their lives in the past 115 days.
“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,” said the statement.
The signatories demanded the immediate lifting of curfew from across Kashmir and an end to the violence against civilians. They also asked that open political dialogue be initiated with all stakeholders, with the options of complete autonomy and even plebiscite on the table. The signatories further demanded that the curbs on media, including the ban on the Kashmir Reader, be lifted.
They went on to ask for the dropping of charges against activists, human rights defenders and civilians arrested under the Public Safety Act. A total of 434 were booked under PSA. They also asked that the United Nations Human Rights Commission be allowed access to investigate the allegations of rights' violations.
As per the statement, which was signed by people from across India, over 15,000 civilians have been hurt in the unrest, and about 4,500 people suffered pellet gun injuries.
