Time for India to lift restrictions in J&K: US panel

Ahead of the US Congress panel hearing on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir scheduled on October 22, the House Foreign Affairs Committee has said that the communication blackout has a “devastating impact” and “it is time for India to lift these restrictions”.

In a tweet on Monday, committee said, “India’s communication blackout in Kashmir is having a devastating impact on the lives and welfare of everyday Kashmiris. It’s time for India to lift these restrictions and afford Kashmiris same rights and privileges as any other Indian



citizen.”

US Congressman Brad Sherman, the chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia, had announced that at 10 am on October 22, the subcommittee will hold a hearing on “Human Rights in South Asia”.

“Assistant Secretary Alice Wells, who oversees all State Department policy towards South Asia, will testify. Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Scott Busby, who overseas human rights efforts is South Asia, will also testify. We have invited other State Department officials and we also expect to hear from private human rights activists on the issues,” said Congressman Sherman, according to a press statement.