Bifurcation of J&K has internationalised internal Indian issue: World scholars

By Our Representative
Around 200 scholars from around the world -- mainly from renowned universities and institutes of USA and Europe -- and concerned individuals have said that the Government of India move to bifurcate Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) into two union territories "is an attempt to transform Kashmir from an international issue to a domestic one."
Warning the action has set "the stage for possible nuclear war with Pakistan", threatening to "irrevocably alter the region", the signatories say, the move requires "immediate and urgent response from the international community", pointing towards India deploying "tens of thousands of additional troops" in the "highly militarised zone."
Objecting to "around-the-clock curfews, shut down all communications including internet, cellular service, and landlines, take over schools and mosques, detention of former political office holders as well as "pro-freedom" leaders, the signatories say, "Kashmiris have already borne the brunt of three decades of brutal and cumulative state violence, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, sexual violence, mass graves, torture and indefinite detention."
According to them, "Kashmir is an international issue that warrants an urgent political resolution including negotiations between Kashmiris, India and Pakistan", asking US, UK, Canada, European countries and the UN to "diplomatically intervene... before war further destroys hope for a peaceful political resolution for Kashmiris, as well as for India and Pakistan."

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