Nearly 8 million people in Kashmir have been living through a communication shut down since August 5. The world needs to know what’s happening. Take action and demand that the government let Kashmir speak.

Imagine a world where you can’t call home. You pick up your phone to call your family to let them know that you are safe or that you are in danger and need help. But your phone doesn’t work – you are stranded.

Right now, there are nearly 8 million people living in Kashmir who, since August 5, have been living through a telecommunications blackout. The government of India is restricting freedoms by shutting down their ability to communicate with each other and the rest of the world, and by imposing curfews or curfew like situations preventing people from leaving their homes.

At a time when reports have been pouring in about raids, arrests, clashes and detentions, communications shut downs not only leave people stranded and add panic and unrest, they also effect the ability of doctors and humanitarian workers to carry out their work effectively. The world can only speculate on what grave human rights violations might be taking place right now in Kashmir.

The government of India has almost total control over what information is coming out of the region. There have been reports of political leaders being detained or are being kept under house arrest. Access to emergency services, education and health care is being affected.

The Indian government needs to put humanity first and let the people of Kashmir speak. Sign the petition now and demand that the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir lift the communications blackout

Credits : Amnesty International