Shutdown in IoK ahead of Indian Supreme Court hearing on Article 35-A

A complete shutdown is being observed in parts of Indian-occupied Kashmir against the ongoing aggression by the troops and in defense of Article 35-A of the Indian constitution.

Shops and other commercial establishments remained closed in Kulgam district and Mandi town of Pir Panjal area, after the Indian Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions challenging the constitutional validity of Article 35-A amid rumours that the Indian government was considering putting an end to special privileges enjoyed by the Jammu and Kashmir state.

The Supreme Court of India is set to hear the petitions from February 26-28 – a development that was condemned by Pakistan. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Dr Mohammad Faisal said in a statement on Sunday, "We understand that the Supreme Court of India is due to deliberate, shortly, on the petitions calling for [the] scrapping of Article 35-A of the Indian Constitution.

"Pakistan condemns any such attempts as these are clearly aimed at bringing about demographic changes in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir," the spokesperson said, adding that a potential decision in favour of scrapping Article 35-A "would be a blatant violation of international law and the relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions, which prohibit introducing material changes to the disputed territory.”

Article 35-A of the Indian constitution relates to the special rights and privileges enjoyed by Jammu and Kashmir. There are fears that its repeal would lead to further erosion of Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy and trigger demographic change in the Muslim-majority valley.

In occupied Kashmir meanwhile, the situation remains tense in the aftermath of the Pulwama attack after three more youth were killed by Indian troops during a cordon and search operation in Turigam area of the district.