by Peerzada Arshad Hamid
SRINAGAR, Indian-controlled Kashmir, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- As
communication blockade continues in restive Indian-controlled Kashmir,
Kashmiris living outside the region are sending their messages to families
through two local television new channels.
The two TV channels, News 18 Urdu and Gulistan News channel, are
posting the messages they receive from Kashmiris living outside on
their channels as ticker below the screen.
Following the tension, the two channels dedicated their telephone numbers for receiving messages and subsequently flashing them on the screen.
"I am fine and have reached safely to Delhi. Mummy take care," reads a
message from Muddasir Salam from Kokernag in Anantnag district.
Like Salam, dozens of people are posting their messages to families in Kashmir, informing them of their well-being and schedule.
"I have booked tickets for return journey. I will reach Srinagar
airport on September 3. I miss you a lot," reads a message from Khalid
Hussain from the United Arab Emirates.
News 18 Urdu runs a news bulletin "Kashmir News" in Urdu for the
residents, while Gulistan news channel runs bulletins in Urdu and
Kashmiri.
Locals said the efforts by these two satellite news channels have
played a vital role in connecting Kashmiris outside the region with their
families.
"Since most of the people here watch these channels, their efforts in
connecting the people are really laudable," said Jabeena Akhther, from
Baramulla town. "At least from them, several families like ours got to
know that our loved ones are safe and fine."
Akther's two sons are working outside Kashmir and could not contact
their families after August 5, after New Delhi abrogated Article 370 of
its constitution.
The scrapping of the article stripped kashmir of its separate flag
and constitution. The Indian government also bifurcated the region
into two federally governed Union Territories.
Local authorities on the night of Aug. 4 suspended all communication and
Internet services, thereby cutting the region from the outside world.
Thousands of people from the region work and study in many Indian states
and in foreign countries. The move from the Indian government has cut them from their families.
"I was expecting my sons to join us on Eid festival. So when restrictions were imposed here and communications suspended, we got very perturbed as they didn't arrive. Finally on Aug. 16 when we were
watching the TV news, suddenly my husband read out a message from the
TV that was from my son Murtaza that he is with his brother and both
of them are fine," said Akther. "This was really a miracle. They had
posted the message for us on the TV."
The communication blockade and Internet gag have adversely affected the
business and service sector in the region. Media operations have also taken a hit. The newspapers published from Srinagar have slashed their pages and are unable to circulate their newspapers fully.
Local journalists said they were unable to perform their duties in wake of no telephone and Internet connectivity in the region. Media professionals said it was the first time during the past three decades of insurgency that such a gag has been imposed.
Normal life in the restive region remained crippled on Thursday for the
25th straight day in wake of communication blockade and restrictions.
Authorities said they have eased the restrictions at many places and
ordered opening of schools.
Indian authorities fear a backlash from the public for ending special
status to the region. Police and paramilitary troopers remain deployed on roads in Srinagar and other major towns and villages.
A separatist movement and guerilla war challenging New Delhi's rule has been going on in Indian-controlled Kashmir since 1989.
