Minorities and migrant workers are chief targets in latest flare-up of terror attacks in disputed region fought over by India and Pakistan since partition in 1947
As a Kashmiri, Sanjay Tickoo has seen it all: decades of insurgency, Indian army-led counter-terrorism operations, civilian killings and endless curfews. Life has rarely been at ease in the scenic, disputed Himalayan territory of Kashmir in the northern tip of the Indian subcontinent that is administered by three countries: India, Pakistan and China.
The deadly violence in Indian-controlled Kashmir last month has claimed 39 lives, including 12 civilians, shrouding the Kashmir valley in fear and insecurity. It is the latest wave of unrest in a bucolic, fertile region that has long been a pawn between powerful forces. As fearful citizens leave the region, the remaining inhabitants fear worse is still to come.
China and Pakistan are triggering a proxy war against India to disrupt peace in the valley; the Indian armyin the past month, the Indian army claimed to have killed several rebels. As counterterrorism operations got underway, security forces corralled hundreds of migrant workers into police- and army-protection camps. Police also asked religious minorities to stay home from their jobs.
“My family kept telling me to turn back, but I thought: This is what the terrorists want, to induce fear. It’s my home, nobody should stop me from going there.” She describes arriving in her grandparents’ village with her child, and feeling a “quiet fear.” In a bid to address growing tensions, India’s Home Minister Amit Shah visited Kashmir last week and extended “friendship” to the youth to seek their cooperation to strengthen “democracy” in the region. He said the government was creating half a million more jobs, a better education system and a new industrial policy with robust investment. But his visit sparked anger among locals when police detained over 700 Kashmiri youths ahead of his visit, citing security concerns.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Biden pushes G20 energy-producing countries to boost production amid surge in oil pricesBiden is calling on G20 members with spare capacity to boost production in a bid to ensure a stronger global economic recovery
Read more »
Halep, Kontaveit reach semis; Raducanu falters in RomaniaSimona Halep cruises past fellow Romanian Jacqueline Cristian 6-1, 6-1 at Transylvania Open
Read more »
Biden pushes G20 energy-producing countries to boost production amid surge in oil pricesBiden is calling on G20 members with spare capacity to boost production in a bid to ensure a stronger global economic recovery
Read more »
Toronto man sent $3,000 bill from Enterprise Rent-A-CarICYMI: Toronto man sent $3,000 bill from Enterprise Rent-A-Car — via drivingdotca autonews
Read more »
Russia hits new high daily coronavirus casesRussia has recorded a new daily high number of coronavirus cases as much of the country's businesses remain closed in an effort to counter a weekslong surge in infections.
Read more »
Russia reports record 41,000 new COVID-19 cases in a single dayRussia has recorded a new daily high number of coronavirus cases as much of the country's businesses remain closed in an effort to counter a weekslong surge in infections.
Read more »