Jammu and Kashmir: 92 Per Cent Areas Restrictions Free, India Responds To UNHRC Chief’s Remarks

Responding to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Chief’s remarks over Kashmir, Indian Mission at Geneva told that 92 per cent areas in the union territory were restriction free and others only had limited restrictions, The Economic Times reported.

An official tweet from the Indian mission provided a detailed information on the current situation in the region. It said, “188 out of 199 police stations are restriction-free, others have only limited restrictions. Right to Life is the most important human right. Safety of people is the most important priority of the Government.”

UNHRC High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet on Monday (9 September) had stressed her concerns over the human rights situation and the communication blockade in the region since India’s decision to end the special status of Jammu and Kashmir. She had also urged the Indian government to ease the lockdown and curfews, and to retain the basic rights of the people.

Delivering her opening statement at the 42nd session of the Human Rights Council, she said, “I continue to urge the Governments of India and Pakistan to ensure that human rights are respected and protected, I have appealed particularly to India to ease the current lockdowns or curfews; to ensure people's access to basic services; and that all due process rights are respected for those who have been detained.”

Indian response came at a time when Pakistan Foreign Minister Mahmood Qureshi is set to address the UNHRC session today (10 September). He is expected to try and draw global attention towards Kashmir and malign India’s image.