Indian forces arrest former occupied Kashmir CM Farooq Abdullah

Tensions are reaching boiling point in Indian-occupied Kashmir as the draconian military curfew imposed on the occupied valley by New Delhi enters a 43rd consecutive day on Monday. 

According to a report published by Indian news website The Wire, former Occupied Kashmir Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah has been detained by Indian forces under the Public Safety Act. 

Abdullah, who has been under house arrest since early August, can now be held in detention by India for a period of up to two years without a trial, suggest reports. His son, Omar Abudllah, is under house arrest too.

Other high ranking politicians, including former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti and the mayor of capital Srinagar, are also under house arrest by Indian security forces to quash dissent against the move. 

On August 5, Indian PM Modi had passed a bill which split occupied Kashmir into two Indian Union territories. A military curfew was imposed in the occupied valley after the decision and thousands imprisoned. 

International media have reported widespread allegations of abuse and torture of detainees by Indian security forces. So far more than 4,100 people — including 170 local political leaders — have been detained across the occupied valley. 

Despite a curfew, movement restrictions, and the severe curtailment of internet and mobile phone services, public demonstrations against India — mostly in the largest city Srinagar — have been constant. 

Altogether, there have been 722 protests since August 5, with Baramulla district in the northwest and Pulwama in the south the biggest hotspots after Srinagar. 

Pakistan determined to find a solution to occupied Kashmir

Meanwhile, a close aide of Prime Minister Imran Khan on Sunday told the South Asian media in Manchester that Pakistan is determined to find a solution to the long-standing occupied Kashmir conflict with India. 

The aide, Naeem-ul-Haq, revealed that PM Imran will discuss the alarming human rights situation in Indian-occupied Kashmir with Saudi Crown Prince Moahmmed Bin Salman in an upcoming meeting. 

According to Haq, PM Imran will ask the crown prince to put pressure on India to ease the lockdown in the occupied valley and come to the negotiating table for talks with Pakistan to resolve bilateral issues. 

Special Adviser to PM Imran on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan on Sunday also echoed these sentiments. She said that PM Imran had become the voice of Kashmiris around the world. 

Tribal leaders in north-western Pakistan have started their long march to Muzzafarabad, after a brief delay. According to reports, tribal leaders are gathering in Peshawar and will start their long march to the Kashmir capital soon.