India: Kashmir college clashes continue May 1; nationwide far-right demonstrations May 2 /update 3

Event

Clashes continued in Indian-held Kashmir on Monday, May 1, with incidents reported in Pulwama district and Srinagar. Students allegedly clashed with security forces in Pulwama district (south Kashmir) after staging a demonstration outside the local police station to demand the release of arrested students. Police reportedly used tear gas to disperse the crowd. In Srinagar, more clashes were reported at the Government Polytechnic College, where major clashes occurred on Saturday, April 29. Additional violence is likely.

On a separate but related note, Bajrang Dal, the youth wing of far-right Hindu fundamentalist group Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), plans to carry out rallies in district headquarters across the country to denounce attacks by separatist protesters in the Kashmir valley. The rallies will likely target government offices, particularly those of the district collector, deputy commissioner (DC) or sub-divisional magistrates (SDM). Although the events will likely be moderately attended, there remains the potential for clashes between demonstrators and security personnel. Avoid the area of all demonstrations.

Context

College classes in the Kashmir Valley have been suspended since hundreds of students clashed with government forces in Indian-held Kashmir during protests in Srinagar against a police raid on a college on Monday, April 17. Demonstrations have occurred regularly since that time, resulting in multiple violent clashes with security forces. Media have reported hundreds of injuries to student protesters.

Indian-held Kashmir has been particularly tense since April 9, when eight people were killed by police and paramilitary troops during election day violence. Armed clashes between protesters who oppose Indian rule and government forces have become more frequent since the killing of a popular rebel leader by security forces in July 2016, which sparked widespread unrest.

Kashmir has been divided between India and Pakistan since the end of British rule in 1947. Both claim the territory in its entirety.

Advice

Individuals present in India are advised to stay away from all demonstrations, adhere to all instructions issued by authorities, and monitor developments to the situation. Anticipate localized transportation disruptions and avoid affected areas as much as possible.

As a reminder, some Western governments advise their citizens against nonessential travel to the west of Jammu and Kashmir state and against all travel to the border region with Pakistan (direct vicinity of the Line of Control) due to the high threat of terrorism.