Schedule Elections At Earliest, Resume Political Engagement With Local Leaders, Us To Indian Authorities

We urge authorities to respect human rights and restore access to services such as the internet and mobile networks,US state department spokesperson stated.The United States has yet again expressed concern over the continuing detention of mainstream Kashmiri leaders following the abrogation of Article 370 (Which grants special status to Kashmir). Morgan Ortagus, US state department spokesperson stated explicitly that India should hold elections in Jammu and Kashmir soon.

We continue to be very concerned by widespread detentions, including of local political and business leaders, and the restrictions on the residents of the region. We are also concerned about reports that internet and mobile phone access continues to be blocked in certain regions,” Ortagus reportedly said in a statement.Furthermore, she asked the Indian authorities to schedule elections at the earliest. “We urge authorities to respect human rights and restore access to services such as the internet and mobile networks. We look forward to the Indian government’s resumption of political engagement with local leaders and the scheduling of promised elections at the earliest opportunity in the Kashmir valley.