500 incidents of protests, hundreds injured in Kashmir lockdown: Sources

Hundreds of incidents of protest have erupted in Indian-administered Kashmir since the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi stripped the Muslim-majority Himalayan region of its autonomy and imposed a security clampdown more than three weeks ago.

A senior government source told media outlets on Wednesday that at least 500 protests and incidents of stone throwing had occurred across the valley since August 5, with more than half taking place in Srinagar.

"The number of protests could be much higher and bigger without the blockade in force," the official said, adding that "anger and public defiance is constantly rising".

About 100 civilians have been injured so far, with a further 300 police and over 100 paramilitary troopers hurt in a series of violent clashes, the official noted

"Efforts for easing the conditions are made all the time but nothing seems to be working for now. There is nervousness spreading in the security establishment." 

The official further said that the communications blackout meant even security forces were struggling to obtain information about rural areas.

The administration of Premier Modi scrapped the special status of its portion of Kashmir earlier this month. New Delhi claimed that the decision was necessary for the economic development of Kashmir and it would help fight “terrorism.”

After the decision on the special status, New Delhi dispatched thousands of additional troops to the Himalayan region, declared a strict curfew, shut down telecommunications and internet services, and arrested political leaders and pro-independence campaigners.

The Himalayan valley is under a strict lockdown, imposed hours before India's decision to bring Kashmir under its direct rule.

SS