India under fire after sending additional troops to Kashmir

Indian government comes under fire after sending additional troops to the disputed Kashmir region following a fresh wave of violence triggered over alleged sexual assault of a schoolgirl by an Indian soldier, Press TV reports.

According to Indian officials, an extra 1200 paramilitary troops were sent to the Muslim-majority region in order to “restore order” to the violence-wracked scenic valley.

However, the move has been met with furious opposition by local residents and Kashmir leaders.

“Kashmiri citizens condemn the deployment of more troops to Kashmir. We want the international community and the Muslim nations to respond to the Indian government move to deploy more troops to Kashmir,” a Kashmiri resident told a Press TV correspondent in Kashmir's main city of Srinagar.

“It actually suggests that Indian army is here to control by hook or by crook.  Most of the time we see the control is exercised through violence. And this violence unfortunately is coupled with impunity laws like the Armed Forces Special Powers Act,” another Kashmiri resident said.  

The act sanctions the Indian army to employ excessive and unbridled force in Kashmir and allows the Indian forces to kill and arrest people or destroy property on mere suspicion.

Reacting to the move, Kashmiri pro-independence leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq has said sending more troops to the violence-hit Valley was inhuman that would add more miseries to Kashmiris.

Kashmir has been gripped by a new wave of violence for since last week, following the alleged sexual assault of a schoolgirl by an Indian soldier.

At least five people have been killed in a series of violent clashes between Indian army and protesters incensed by the sexual assault of the girl.

The army has expressed regret at the shootings and has ordered an inquiry into the allegation of sexual assault, saying in a statement that anyone found guilty “will be severely dealt with.”

Human rights groups, however, say such investigations rarely yield any concrete results and are often aimed at calming public anger.

The New Delhi government has deployed large contingents of police and paramilitary troops to most parts of Srinagar and several other major cities to prevent street demonstrations.

Indian troops are engaged in constant clashes with the fighters seeking independence from New Delhi. 

Indian government forces have responded by imposing curfews and restrictions on popular movements . 

Kashmir remains one of the most highly militarized regions in the world. 

Thousands of people have been killed in violence in Kashmir since the 1980s.

Pakistan and India have been engaged in hostility over Kashmir ever since their independence from British colonial rule and their partition in 1947.

The two neighbors have fought two wars over the mountainous region as the two countries both lay claim to the entire territory. Pakistan controls one-third of Kashmir, with the remaining two-thirds being under India’s control.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk