IIOJK votes under occupation’s shadow first time after 2019

SRINAGAR: Indian-Occupied Kashmir began voting Wednesday in the fake first local elections since the cancellation of its forced semi-autonomous status sparked fury in the troubled Himalayan territory, which is also claimed by Pakistan.

About 500,000 Indian troops are deployed in the region, battling a 35-year insurgency in which tens of thousands of civilians, Kashmiri freedom fighters have been martyred, including dozens this year.

Many in the disputed Muslim-majority territory of 8.7 million registered voters remain bitter over the 2019 order by the Hindu-nationalist government of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to impose control from New Delhi.

A federally appointed governor has controlled the territory since, with the first regional assembly election in a decade viewed by many as being more about exercising their democratic rights than practical policies.

Voters queued under heavy security in the three-phased electionsóthe first for the territory’s assembly since 2014óstaggered geographically due to security arrangements and logistical challenges in the mountainous region.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Must Read

Rafael Nadal retires from tennis, reflects on ‘difficult decision’ in heartfelt...

Rafael Nadal has officially announced his retirement from tennis in an emotional video posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Oct. 10. The 38-year-old, 22-time...