India independence day celebration takes place under strict security in Kashmir.

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Drones and helicopters fly above heavily fortified cricket stadium as Indian flag unfurled.

A paramilitary police officer stands guard outside the Sher-i-Kashmir cricket stadium in Srinagar. Photograph: Farooq Khan/EPA
▼ A ceremony in Kashmirto mark India’s independence day had been held under strict security inside a heavily fortified cricket stadium while residents remained under curfew.
Drones and helicopters flew overhead as Satya Pal Malik, the Jammu and Kashmir governor, unfurled an Indian flag on Thursday. The ceremony is usually watched by Kashmiri politicians, but many are reportedly under house arrest.
Hundreds of people are believed to have been arrested since the Indian government revoked  Kashmir’s special statuslast week.
Hasina, the mother of Irfan Amin Malik, a 26-year-old journalist, confirmed he had been detained. The Kashmiri politician Shah  Faesalwas also arrested in Delhi on Wednesday. Faesal had said before being detained that Kashmir faced an existential battle.
Curfew rules affecting millions of residents were strengthened on Thursday for fear of protests, which are common in Kashmir on India’s independence day. The internet and phone lines were blocked for an 11th day.
The restrictions are placing increasing strain on the most vulnerable residents in Kashmir, where there are already shortages of medicines in local pharmacies and workers are struggling to survive.
A young man from southern Qazigund town, who works in Srinagar, said he had no money left to feed his family.

The Jammu and Kashmir governor, Satya Pal Malik, left, at the celebration of India’s independence day. Photograph: Farooq Khan/EPA
“I have not been able to find any work for the last 10 days. I don’t have any money left to buy milk for my children. Don’t think I am a beggar, I have a post-graduate degree,” he said, struggling to hold back his tears.
India’s prime minister, Narendra  Modi, claimed in his independence day address in Delhi that Kashmir’s previous status had allowed corruption and separatism to fester. The action taken by his government would bring justice to the territory, he said.
“The old arrangement in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh encouraged corruption, nepotism” and “injustice when it came to rights of women, children, Dalits, tribal communities,” Modi said in the speech marking 72 years since Indiaachieved independence from British rule.
Daily protests have erupted in Kashmir, but (▪ ▪ ▪)

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chanakyakripa

One nation, one constitution, same law for all. Kashmir was, is & will continue to be an integral part of India & all Kashmiris should have the privilege of enjoying all the benefits offered by Indian Constitution.

asr335704

It is a proud day for India. With Kashmir now having equal status as all other states in India, Hopefully development and progress will start in this valley state with all the restrictions removed. Meanwhile it should be made sure that none of Kashmir residents are left without food or medicines or their daily essentials.

My best wishes are with Kashmir and its residents.

parivijesh100

Strict vigilance in Kashmir is must as anti national forces are working overtime for years to keep environment bloody there. This plan of enemies has to be curbed & finished once for all.