Ahead of Independence Day, mobile phone services snapped in Kashmir

Ahead of Independence Day, mobile phone services in Kashmir have been snapped once again. All major phone networks except BSNL postpaid phones and landlines have been blocked, as the Bharatiya Janata Party and Peoples Democratic Party coalition government fears major protests ahead of Aug. 15.

Sources told the International Business Times, India that authorities and state police would maintain strict vigil ahead of Aug. 15 to avoid any untoward incidents.

As curfew entered the 35^th day today, some relaxation has been allowed by the government to enable people to purchase essential commodities and medicines.

Separatist parties led by the All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) have issued a protest calendar until Aug. 18, which urges people to organise protest marches during the relaxation hours of the curfew. The J&K police have placed Hurriyat leaders Syed Ali Shah Geelani and Mirwaiz Umar Farooq under house arrest.

The Department of School Education, Kashmir has made an emotional appeal to the students of the Valley, urging them to return to their schools.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week appealed for calm in the Valley after his silence over the issue was questioned by parliamentarians and human rights activists. However, the situation continues to remain on boil, with several protest demonstrations taking place at various locations. 

Although both houses of parliament have debated on the current situation in the region, there is extreme pressure on the Narendra Modi-led central government to start a political dialogue with all the parties in Kashmir.