The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) is condemning the outrageous developments in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, a provision in the Indian constitution granting autonomy to the state, by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After the abrogation of the state’s autonomous status in August 5, the state was put on lockdown. Communication services have been cut off in the early days of the abrogation, preventing residents from connecting with people outside of the area. The press in the region have also been clamped down arbitrarily. There have been alarming reports of harassment and detention of political leaders in the region as well.

We express concern over reports of minors, young people and elderly citizens who have experienced violence in the days following the abrogation. IUSY calls for a fair and swift probe on reports of human rights violations and urge law enforcement in the region to exercise maximum restraint.

As a long-term objective, IUSY urges all parties of the Kashmir conflict to work on stable agreements about peaceful solutions for the region and especially to elaborate a binding frame to exclude the use of nuclear weapons as an option.

IUSY urges for the Indian government to review its decision on Article 370 to allow a multitude of voices to be heard and to prevent an escalation of the conflict in the region. The Indian government must lift all restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, speech, and protest, which should include the restoration of the communication lines and the reported gag on the free press in the region. IUSY urges for a peaceful settlement of the issue between India and Pakistan, with a framework of justice for the poor and oppressed as priority.

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