New York: The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Wednesday asked India to “rescind” its actions in Kashmir and abide by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions following New Delhi’s decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir’s special status.
The foreign ministers of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Contact Group on Kashmir discussed the Indian government’s decision to revoke Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir and the state’s bifurcation into two Union Territories during a meeting on the sidelines of the 74th session of UN General Assembly Wednesday.
In a draft communique that was released later, the group voiced concern over the human rights situation in Kashmir. They also discussed the communication restrictions put in place in Kashmir.
The group demanded that India “rescind” its actions in Kashmir and reiterate its commitment to abide by the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
It also said India should allow access to Jammu and Kashmir to human rights organisations and international media to ascertain and report on the situation there.
India asserts that the abrogation of Article 370 is its “internal matter”.
With communication still restricted in various parts of the Valley, the OIC is worried as rights of the Kashmiri people are being affected. Most shops in Srinagar have been closed for more than 50 days. The sale and supply of apples has come down to a bare minimum with terrorists threatening orchard owners not to send the fruit to other parts of the country.
The increase in restrictions Fridays, the prayer day for the Muslim community have also been noted by the OIC. Hence it has urged India to remove the restrictions.