India Tightens Grip on Occupied Kashmir Ahead of Independence Day, Suppressing Kashmiri Voices

As India prepares to mark its Independence Day, the people of occupied Jammu and Kashmir are once again subjected to severe restrictions and a heavy military presence. Indian authorities have imposed these draconian measures with the explicit intent to silence any voices of dissent and prevent any demonstrations in favor of Pakistan or against the ongoing Indian occupation.

According to the sources, a multi-layered security setup has been established at Bakshi Stadium, the venue for the main Independence Day celebrations. Regulatory barricades have been erected throughout the region, turning the already heavily militarized area into a virtual fortress.

Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, V K Birdi, justified these harsh restrictions by claiming they are necessary to ensure “peace,” a euphemism often used by Indian authorities to rationalize their suppression of the Kashmiri people’s right to protest and express their demand for freedom.

The Jammu-Srinagar highway is under tight surveillance, with security forces conducting rigorous vehicle checks. The pervasive presence of security forces and the heightened scrutiny serve as stark reminders of the ongoing repression in the occupied territory.

Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Udhampur, Prehlad Kumar, has urged the public to report any suspicious activity, further indicating the extent of surveillance and control imposed on the Kashmiri people.

These severe restrictions underscore the disputed nature of Jammu and Kashmir, a region under Indian occupation since 1947. Despite repeated calls from the international community and the United Nations for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, India continues to impose its brutal policies on the Kashmiri population, denying them their basic rights and freedoms.