PSA (Public Safety Act) A tool of state repression thriving in Jammu and Kashmir
From Assam to Jammu & Kashmir environmental destruction for corporate loot is agenda of the Indian State!
In the last week, five union leaders were arrested under the PSA in Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir. Right on the heels of this notorious act, another activist from Doda was arrested on November 9 under the PSA. Raising issues of environmental and health justice in their districts was enough to be labelled as anti-national. Replicating this same model student and youth activists in Assam were also arrested and jailed during the ongoing protests against massive tree felling at Bharalumukh, Guwahati.
Across the country, "development" has only been a guise for widespread displacement of locals, relentless exploitation of resources and destruction of the environment. This so-called developmental agenda only serves one interest, the corporate interest.
Jammu and Kashmir, the most militarised zone in the world, has seen the continuous and unchecked use of violence by the Indian State. From arbitrary mass detentions to disappearance to encounters, all kinds of violent and brutal tactics have been used to suppress the voices and resistance of the people of Jammu and Kashmir in their struggle for self-determination. PSA's arbitrary powers to label someone a threat to public order, and allow for their indefinite detention have been used to stamp out issues of public concern in Jammu and Kashmir.
The major hydropower projects in the Chenab Valley have been a cause of mass displacement and destruction. Ecological instability and pollution as a result of these projects have been impacting the lives of the residents of the area. However, according to the government such issues of life and health being raised is equivalent to "keeping an anti-national attitude of slowing pace of mega projects." Rehmatullah Ahmed from Doda was arrested for challenging the failed waste management project of the Central Government in the region which has only resulted in even greater waste mismanagement and burning. This arrest comes almost immediately after his recent release from a case under PSA.
The PSA has a history of widely being used as a tool to target and silence voices critical of the actions of the Indian government. Environmental and civic rights activists are labelled as terrorists and anti-social elements to have them removed from the sites of contention. Even journalists are frequently targeted under this act to strangle the remnants of the free press in Jammu and Kashmir. Long periods of indefinite detention under this act are nothing new.
CASR condemns the use of PSA and UAPA by the Indian State to curb dissent and activism. The repeal of these laws is essential for the restoration of democracy in these regions.
CASR stands with all political prisoners of the Indian State and demands the immediate release of the activists in Jammu and Kashmir!
CAMPAIGN AGAINST STATE REPRESSION
Organizing Team
(AIRSO,AISA, AISF, APCR,ASA,BAPSA BBAU,BASF, BSM, Bhim Army, bsCEM, CEM,COLLECTIVE,CRPP, CSM CTF, DISSC, DSU, DTF, Forum Against Repression Telangana, Fraternity, IAPL, Innocence Network, Karnataka Janashakti, LAA, Mazdoor Adhikar Sangathan, Mazdoor Patrika, NAPM, NAZARIYA , Nishant Natya Manch, Nowruz, NTUI, People’s Watch, Rihai Manch, Samajwadi Janparishad, Samajwadi Lok Manch, Bahujan Samjavadi Manch, SFI, United Peace Alliance, WSS,Y4S) ।
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