India’s top court orders review of curbs in Kashmir, citing abuses

NEW DELHI — India’s top court on Friday ordered the government to review all restrictions, including the suspension of internet service, in Indian-controlled Kashmir within a week, saying the measures amounted to abuse of power.

Defense attorney Vrinda Grover said the Supreme Court also directed the government to make public all orders imposing a lockdown in Kashmir in August after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Hindu nationalist-led government revoked the Muslim-majority region’s semi-autonomous status.

The court held that the internet shutdown impacted the freedom of press.

Ghulam Nabi Azad, a leader of the opposition Congress party, and Anuradha Bhasin, editor of the Kashmir Times, were the main petitioners in the case.

The Congress party said the court delivered the “first big jolt of 2020 to illegal activities of Modi’s government by stating the importance of the internet as a fundamental right.“

Ehsan Ali, a Kashmiri university student, said the court should have struck down government restrictions. “Even intention of restoring basic rights is sold to the people as a relief,” Ali said.

The decision to abolish Kashmir’s special status was accompanied by a extensive lockdown, with New Delhi sending tens of thousands of additional troops to the already heavily militarized region, imposing a sweeping curfew, arresting thousands and cutting virtually all communications.

Authorities have since eased several restrictions, lifted roadblocks and restored landlines and cell phone services. The internet, however, remains cut off.

Officials also have encouraged students to return to school and businesses to reopen, but top political leaders from the region continue to be under arrest or detention.

The Press Trust of India news agency said the Supreme...