SC’s order to BJP-led govt to restore normalcy in occupied Kashmir validates Pakistan’s stance: Qureshi

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Why Supreme Court took suo motu notice: Qureshi

ISLAMABAD: New Delhi is divided following the Supreme Court of India’s directives to the BJP-led government to restore normalcy in occupied Kashmir.

This was stated by Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi here on Monday.

Qureshi while speaking to the media said that the Indian apex court’s decision validates Pakistan’s stance on the occupied Kashmir.

Earlier in the day while taking up the hearings, the Supreme Court directed the BJP-led government restore internet and other communications facilities which have been blocked since Aug 5 in the valley.

Meanwhile, the chief justice of India on Monday said that he would visit occupied Kashmir, if needed, to check allegations of illegal detention of children by Indian forces in the valley.

Ranjan Gogoi, the chief justice, made these remarks while hearing a petition filed by Enakshi Ganguly, a child rights expert, and Professor Shanta Sinha, the first Chairperson of the National Commission for Child Rights (NCPCR) against illegal detention of children by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir since Aug 5 lockdown.

The petition also stated that children and teens aged between six and 18 years were facing hardships due to military lockdown in the valley.

The counsel for the petitioners replied that it was difficult to approach the local High Court in the valley due to lockdown, when  the chief justice instructed him to consult the concerned court.

Earlier on Sunday, a petition against illegal detention of children by Indian forces in occupied Kashmir was filed in the Supreme Court.

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed by Enakshi Ganguly, a child rights expert, and Professor Shanta Sinha, the first Chairperson of the National Commission for Child Rights (NCPCR).

There are reports suggesting violations which include loss of life and freedom. These are very serious and demand judicial review of the ground situation regarding children, the petition says.

Meanwhile, jails in the occupied Kashmir have ran out of capacity and now thousands of people detained without charges by Indian forces are being shifted via planes to other parts of the country.

Over 10,000 innocent people have been arrested by Indian forces over fears of unrest following the complete lockdown imposed in the valley on Aug 5.

India had abrogated Article 370 on August 5 withdrawing special status given to occupied Kashmir.

A local magistrate said last week that over 4,000 people had been arrested under the controversial Public Safety Act.