India’s communications lockdown on Kashmir has ensured a lack of information coming out of the valley, but the brunt of it is being borne by the doctors and patients as they struggle to get the necessary medical help.
Sanaullah Dar was due to undergo surgery to remove a tumour in his bladder. Four months later, he was dead, with doctors blaming a lockdown imposed by New Delhi on the restive part of Kashmir it controls.
“To get appropriate healthcare for patients like my father is difficult anyway,” Dar’s 20-year-old daughter, Sumaya, remarked.
India is the world leader in cutting internet services, activists say, and access was also temporarily suspended in other parts of the country during recent protests against a new citizenship law.
India alleges that the communication blackout was necessary to ‘restrict communications’ of alleged militants which officials claim are supported by Pakistan.
To read more from ProperGaanda: Despite 14 deaths, Sindh Minister says no need to evacuate Keamari area