India suspends passports of Kashmiris
SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir – In an unprecedented move, the Indian government has revoked the passports of several Kashmiris, including journalists and academics.
Over the past 10 days, numerous Kashmiris living both in Indian-controlled Kashmir and abroad have reported receiving emails from the Indian government informing them of the suspension of their passports.
The Srinagar Regional Passport Office invoked provisions of the 1967 Passport Act, claiming that these individuals posed a threat to Indian security.
However, the individuals concerned claimed that there were no charges against them.
The media assumed that about 70-90 more people could lose their passports.
Many recipients of the emails are reluctant to speak out publicly, fearing further reprisals from the state.
Srinagar Passport Officer Devinder Singh confirmed receiving instructions to block the passports of numerous individuals.
The move has raised concerns that the space for dissent and free expression in Kashmir is shrinking under the Modi government.
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