Arbitrary Detaintions: Two More Kashmiris Arrested Under Draconian PSA in IIOJK

The latest arrests in Budgam under the controversial Public Safety Act once again expose the systematic use of draconian laws to silence Kashmiri dissent.

In Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), Indian police have once again wielded the infamous Public Safety Act (PSA) as a tool of repression, arresting two more civilians in Budgam district. The detainees, identified as Tahir Ahmad Kumar and Shabir Ahmad Ganai, hail from the Pakerpora area and now face indefinite detention without formal trial.

Authorities claim that the two individuals were involved in “anti-India” and “pro-freedom” activities—terms routinely used to criminalize any form of political dissent or demand for self-determination in the occupied territory. The arrests were reportedly made following detention orders issued by the district magistrate, a process that bypasses any meaningful legal scrutiny.

The PSA, often condemned by human rights organizations worldwide, allows authorities to detain individuals for up to two years without charge or trial. Under its broad and vague definitions, peaceful activists, students, traders, and ordinary civilians have been subjected to arbitrary detention. Tahir Ahmad Kumar and Shabir Ahmad Ganai are the latest casualties of this repressive legal framework.

This practice highlights a sad reality in IIOJK: the law is not used to uphold justice, but to institutionalize injustice. Detaining Kashmiris under the PSA has become a routine tactic to curb political opposition and stifle voices advocating for basic rights, including the right to self-determination guaranteed under international law.

What is even more alarming is the manner in which these arrests are carried out. Detainees are often picked up without prior notice, denied access to legal representation, and transported to jails far from their hometowns, making family visits and legal recourse nearly impossible. The psychological toll on families and communities is devastating and intentional.

The targeting of individuals like Tahir and Shabir sends a chilling message to the broader Kashmiri population: any dissent, however peaceful, will be met with swift and brutal punishment. It is an environment designed to breed fear and submission rather than justice and reconciliation.

The silence of international bodies on such blatant violations further emboldens the occupying authorities. Every arrest under the PSA chips away at the already fragile hope for a peaceful resolution in IOJK.

Until the international community holds India accountable for its draconian policies in IIOJK, arbitrary arrests under unjust laws like the PSA will continue to be a dark stain on the conscience of the world.