URGENT: STATEMENT BY CIVIL LIBERTIES ORGANIZATIONS RE CURFEW IN KASHMIR

Date: Monday, 25 August, 2008, 1:41 PM

URGENT: STATEMENT BY CIVIL LIBERTIES ORGANIZATIONS RE CURFEW IN KASHMIR

PRESS STATEMENT

Civil liberties organizations demand lifting of curfew in Kashmir

Many journalists beaten up

We have news from Kashmir that curfew has been clamped in all the eight

district of the Kashmir valley as a prelude to cracking down with force on

what is today undisputedly a non-violent movement . To open fire on unarmed

civilians would send a very grave and damaging message. It would be

particularly disturbing given that militants have announced their decision

to silence their guns .

We appeal to the Indian government to restrain itself from the use of force

against the people of Kashmir. We urge the government to lift the curfew and

Give Peace a Chance.

Anand Chakravarti

Aruna Roy

Arundhati Roy

Gautam Navlakha

Mahashweta Devi

Medha Patkar

Nikhil Dey

Prashant Bhushan

Sanjay Kak

Uma Chakravarti

Delhi , 24 August 2008

24 August 2008

Srinagar

The declaration of curfew in ten districts in Jammu & Kashmir from 4 am

today is untimely. The Valley has just recently returned to some degree of

normalcy, and people have been able to peacefully gather and voice their

demands. None of these gatherings have been accompanied by violence. We have

been witness to many peaceful protests in four districts visited by us over

the last two days and there has been no threat of violence.

We have reliable information that at least four journalists have been beaten

up by the security forces. These include Mr Bilal and Mr Muzaffar of Sahara

Samay, and a cameraman from ETV. These journalists told us that as many as

34 journalists have been beaten up during the curfew today. It is difficult

confirm this number since the curfew prevents any physical movement.

Journalists are not being allowed to report the situation.

Contrary to the perception that the imposition of curfew is meant to prevent

violent confrontation, the present curfew threatens to start a violent

confrontation Ð because it would attempt to prevent the peaceful gathering

in Lal Chowk in central Srinagar tomorrow (Monday), and because the curfew

would give security forces the power to use force against people who attempt

to proceed towards the venue. It would create a confrontation that can

easily be avoided.

We appeal to the central government to intervene without delay to ensure the

lifting of curfew to enable normal political process and prevent any further

loss of life.

Sharmila Purkayastha, Harish Dhawan, Paramjeet Singh

(People1s Union for Democratic Rights)

Professor Babiah, Professor Ramaswamy

(Progressive Democratic Front, Karnataka)

Mr Raghunath

(Andhra Pradesh Civil Liberties Committee)