(18 Aug 2019) Indian authorities said they have gradually begun restoring telephone lines and easing a security lockdown of Indian-administered Kashmir, however restrictions continued in many parts of the valley on Sunday.
In Srinagar, soldiers were still manning many near-deserted streets, and limiting movement of the few pedestrians who came out of their homes.
Some families who live in areas of the city which are still under a heavy security lockdown described difficulties in their day to day life.
"There is no internet, no telephone, no communication, no transportation," said retired engineer Nazir Ahmad, describing the situation as living through a "siege."
"Food problem is there. And vegetables, milk, nothing is available. We are just like animals."
Ahmad's father is sick and needs a constant supply of medicines, which the family is finding difficult to procure.
He said he hoped India and Pakistan would jointly find a solution to the regional problems.
Contrary to Ahmad's wishes, a deadly exchange of gun and mortar firing between Indian and Pakistani forces was reported on Saturday across the militarised Line of Control that divides Kashmir between the archrivals.
Both countries claim the Himalayan region in its entirety, and they have fought two of their three wars over Kashmir.
The government had imposed the lockdown to avoid a violent reaction to its decision on August 5 to downgrade the autonomy of the region.
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