Srinagar: Indian forces have escalated their operations in occupied Jammu and Kashmir, detaining over 150 people amid an ongoing crackdown attributed to the Modi government’s policies in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the detentions took place during widespread operations in the Ganderbal district, with additional youths arrested across various districts by the police’s counter-intelligence wing. Confiscated items during these operations included mobile phones, laptops, and other personal documents.

The crackdown follows an incident where laborers were allegedly attacked by members of the Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifles in the Sonamarg area, prompting a series of raids and arrests under controversial circumstances. Local sources suggest the laborers were targeted by the army itself, a claim that fuels further discontent among the local population.

The use of stringent laws to facilitate these detentions has been criticized as a political strategy by the Modi government, aimed at suppressing opposition and dissent within the region. Since 2019, such tactics have reportedly intensified, leading to numerous arrests of Hurriyat leaders and activists under harsh conditions, sparking international concerns over potential human rights violations.

Despite the severe measures, the spirit of resistance among Kashmiris persists, with calls for international intervention to address these ongoing human rights issues.