Resume Political Engagement With Local Leaders, Hold Polls In J&K At Earliest

A month after political leaders were detained and communication restrictions were put in place in Jammu and Kashmir, the US on Friday expressed concern over the “widespread detentions” and “urged” authorities to “respect human rights”. Washington has also asked Indian authorities to “resume political engagement with local leaders” and hold “elections at the earliest”.

This is the strongest statement by the US administration so far on the Centre’s move to scrap Jammu and Kashmir’s special status, and comes almost 11 days after US President Donald Trump had said on August 26 he had discussed the issue on August 25 over dinner and had said Prime Minister Narendra Modi “really feels he has it under control”.