More Than 200 Youth Detained In IIOJK As India Tightens Its Crackdown On Kashmir

The arrest of more than 200 Kashmiri youth across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir once again lays bare the harsh and uncomfortable truth behind India’s repeated claims of democracy and peace. Indian police and paramilitary forces have launched wide-ranging operations that rely on force and fear rather than law and justice. These arrests are not isolated security measures but part of a sustained policy under the Modi government to silence dissent and tighten control. The reality on the ground exposes India’s democratic claims as hollow and deeply misleading.

◆ Valley-Wide Arrest Operations: These coordinated arrests across the Valley reflect a planned policy of repression rather than a genuine response to security threats.
◆ Targeting Kashmiri Youth: Young Kashmiris are deliberately detained to crush resistance and intimidate future generations.
◆ Climate Of Fear: Such actions create constant fear among families and deepen resentment against Indian rule.

The Misuse Of The “Over Ground Worker” Label

The Indian security establishment continues to misuse the term “over ground worker” as a convenient excuse to arrest Kashmiris without evidence. This vague label has no clear legal meaning and is applied broadly to ordinary civilians. It allows Indian forces to bypass legal safeguards and avoid accountability. The practice exposes how security language is being abused to justify collective punishment.

◆ Vague And Arbitrary Label: The OGW term enables arrests without proof or transparent charges.
◆ Cover For Mass Detentions: Students, laborers, and shopkeepers are detained under this loose label.
◆ Criminalizing Normal Life: Everyday social contact is treated as a crime.

Preventive Detention And Systematic Denial Of Justice

Preventive detention laws remain one of the most brutal tools used by India in occupied Kashmir. These laws allow detention for months or years without trial, effectively suspending basic legal rights. Under the Modi government, preventive detention has become routine rather than exceptional. This reflects authoritarian control, not democratic governance.

◆ No Due Process: Detentions occur without fair hearings or evidence.
◆ Cycle Of Re-Arrests: Many detainees are freed only to be jailed again.
◆ Political Silencing: Laws are used to suppress political and social voices.

Intensified Cordon And Search Operations Across The Valley

Cordon and search operations have become a daily reality for Kashmiris. Indian forces seal neighborhoods, raid homes, and interrogate residents for hours at a time. Civilian areas are treated as hostile zones. These operations do not bring peace; they deepen humiliation and suffering.

◆ Militarized Civilian Life: Entire localities are placed under siege.
◆ Psychological Trauma: Continuous raids cause fear among women, children, and the elderly.
◆ Impunity Of Forces: Security personnel operate without fear of consequences.

Modi Government’s False Narrative Of “Normalcy”

New Delhi continues to promote a carefully crafted narrative of peace and development in Kashmir. At the same time, mass arrests and security raids tell a completely different story. Tourism campaigns and development slogans cannot hide repression. The Modi government’s narrative of normalcy collapses under the weight of its own actions.

◆ Words Versus Reality: Arrests directly contradict official claims.
◆ Global Misinformation: Statements are designed to mislead international audiences.
◆ Credibility Eroded: India’s narrative no longer carries moral weight.

Silencing Dissent And Targeting Kashmiri Identity

India’s policies increasingly treat Kashmiri identity itself as a threat. Peaceful expression, political opinion, and community organization are criminalized. This approach aims to erase Kashmiri political voice entirely. It reflects colonial style domination rather than democratic rule.

◆ Crushing Peaceful Dissent: Even non-violent expression is punished.
◆ Suspicion Of Social Ties: Community networks are viewed as security risks.
◆ Shrinking Public Space: Civic life in Kashmir is steadily suffocated.

Global Silence And Moral Failure Of International Powers

Despite repeated warnings by human rights organizations, global response to India’s actions remains weak. Strategic and economic interests have muted international criticism. This silence emboldens the Modi government to continue its repression unchecked. Human rights standards appear selective when Kashmir is concerned.

◆ Muted International Reaction: Powerful states avoid serious pressure.
◆ Ignored Human Rights Evidence: Reports are acknowledged but not acted upon.
◆ Encouraging Repression: Silence signals approval through inaction.

Kashmir As The Ultimate Test Of India’s Democratic Claims

Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir has become the clearest test of India’s democratic credentials. Mass arrests, denial of rights, and constant military control reveal the true nature of governance under the Modi government. Kashmir today represents fear and enforced silence, not peace or integration. Until India ends repression and restores basic freedoms, its democratic image will remain deeply compromised.

◆ Democracy Under Scrutiny: Kashmir exposes India’s authoritarian turn.
◆ Rights Still Suspended: Civil and political freedoms remain denied.
◆ Need For Accountability: India must be held answerable for its actions.

The Reality India Cannot Hide Any Longer

The arrest of over 200 Kashmiri youth is part of a long-standing policy of coercion and control in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Modi government continues to rely on force, vague security labels, and fear to dominate the region. These actions stand in direct contradiction to India’s self-image as a democratic state. For Pakistan and the wider world, the ongoing crackdown is a clear reminder that truth cannot be buried under propaganda, and that continued silence only strengthens injustice.

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