Srinagar, Indian security forces have launched a significant operation in the Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), conducting extensive house raids and arresting numerous individuals. This operation comes as the country prepares for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, raising concerns about the suppression of dissent in the region.

According to Kashmir Media Service, local civil society members, observers, and lawyers in Srinagar have reported that the recent actions by Indian forces have led to the arrest and interrogation of hundreds of young people, peace activists, and freedom advocates. These individuals, primarily from IIOJK, are allegedly being targeted to quell opposition to Indian rule.

The increased rate of arrests is perceived as an act of political repression by the BJP-led government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with accusations that these measures are part of a broader strategy to silence demands for freedom and self-determination in Kashmir. The operations involve cordon-and-search activities, where forces are detaining residents, often on contested grounds, as part of a concerted effort to dismantle the pro-freedom movement.

The report further criticizes the Indian government’s employment of laws like the Public Safety Act (PSA) and the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) to justify extended detentions of Kashmiris, describing these acts as draconian and a misuse of power to maintain control over the region.

Calls have been made for international bodies to recognize and act against what is seen as a systemic campaign by the Indian government to oppress the Kashmiri population. Legal advocates and human rights observers are pressing for global attention to the detention practices, which they argue are severe human rights violations needing urgent intervention.