Srinagar, Since the Indian government’s revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status in August 2019, the region has experienced significant turmoil, resulting in the deaths of 845 individuals, including 17 women, as reported by a local research group.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian military and police have maintained a stringent presence in the region, effectively transforming it into what the report describes as an “open prison” for its residents. The revocation of the special status, the report argues, was a move to alter the demographic and cultural landscape of the predominantly Muslim region. The report also details instances of house damage, molestation, and human rights abuses carried out by Indian troops during operations in the area.

The report further highlights the plight of thousands of local leaders, activists, journalists, and human rights defenders who have been detained. Notable figures like APHC Chairman Masarrat Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, and Muhammad Yasin Malik are among those mentioned as being incarcerated. The research suggests that these actions are part of a broader strategy by the Indian government, which the report accuses of conducting a genocide, particularly targeting Kashmiri youth, since the policy change in 2019.

The All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) has expressed grave concerns over the deteriorating situation in Kashmir. The group calls for the implementation of United Nations resolutions on the region, aiming to halt the ongoing cycle of death and destruction.