US senators express concern about Kashmir and CAA protests before Trump's visit

US senators have raised concerns about Kashmir's internet shutdowns since Trump is visiting India later this month. They have written about this concern to Mike Pompeo who is the US secretary of state. They have also written about Article 370, how Jammu and Kashmir's special status was scraped and how the Citizenship Amendment Act has triggered protests across the country.

Kashmir's 2 former chief ministers Omar Abdullah and Mehbooba Mufti's Public Safety Act was invoked to extend their custody.

The letter by the Senators said that the Indian Government continues to block the internet in Kashmir. They said," the Indian government continues to block most internet in the region. India has now imposed the longest ever internet shutdown by a democracy, disrupting access to medical care, business, and education for 7 million people".

The senators feel that these actions have severe consequences since a large number of Kashmiris remain in detention including the former chief ministers.

Linsey Graham, one of the senator has said that the Indian Government has taken disturbing steps which threatens the rights of minorities. He said, "The Indian government has taken other troubling steps that threaten the rights of certain religious minorities and the secular character of the state. This includes the passage of the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act."

They have demanded an assessment or report from the Indian Government on the number of individuals who are detained by the Indian government for political purposes.

They also require reports on the internet shutdowns in Kashmir and about the restrictions given to foreign journalists. The US has been closely watching the issues happening in India especially the Kashmir and the protests on the Citizenship Amendment Act.