NEW DELHI, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Civil groups in India have called on the international community to intervene to thwart a humanitarian disaster from a looming curfew in the Kashmir region.
New Delhi said it would begin a staged drawdown of a curfew enacted Sunday as pro-independence demonstrators staged mass protests over the past few weeks. Indian forces have killed at least 30 protesters in the past three weeks.
Civil groups complained a media blackout and the curfew have led to a massive shortage of medicine and other essentials, leaving several hospitals without health services, the Daily Times of India said Thursday.
"In view of the deteriorating humanitarian situation and the media blackout of the events in Kashmir, we call upon the international humanitarian agencies, particularly the United Nations bodies, and the world press, to intervene immediately to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in Kashmir," said a statement signed by several civil organizations.
The statement goes on to say Indian troops have prevented several women from entering maternity wards and severely beat several ambulance drivers.
The current crisis started in June over a land dispute over a Hindu shrine in Kashmir.
© 2008 United Press International. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be reproduced, redistributed, or manipulated in any form.
Comments
Post a Comment
Thanks for leaving comments. You are making this discussion richer and more beneficial to everyone. Do not hold back.