B.C. residents fear for relatives in Kashmir as phones, internet in region go dead

As tensions between India and Pakistan continue over the Himalayan region of Kashmir, relatives in B.C. are worried about family members there who they have been cut off from contacting them.

Kashmir has been disputed by India, Pakistan and China since 1947. The Indian-controlled areaof Jammu and Kashmir, which is part of the wider region of Kashmir,has been in lockdownsince India's decision to strip it of constitutional autonomy last week.

The 12 millionpeople living in Jammu and Kashmircurrently do not have access to phone and internet, effectively cutting them off from the rest of the world.

It's worrying for B.C. residents with ties to the region, who have not been able to contact their loved ones duringEid al-Adha, the Islamic festival of sacrifice.

• India to bring in food supplies to Kashmir as curfew stays

"It's been a very tough time," saidManzoor Wani, who, along with his wife Fouzia Qasim, hasparents and siblings in Kashmir.

They say they're finding it hard to celebrateEid al-Adha, which is known for bringing families together.

"Celebration to me means to connect with my parents, to connect with my brothers and sisters by phone.When there's this blockade, how on Earth am I supposed to know if they're doing well?" Qasim wondered.

The couple say they haven't heard from their relatives in more than a week.

M.V. Ramana, who studies the region at the UBC'sSchool of Public Policy and Global Affairs says there is widespread unrest andprotests in the region.

"The people in Kashmir are, of course, extremely unhappy about this," he said, adding that the Indian government has sent in thousands oftroops to try to keep law and order.

Auzeb Manzoor, a former resident of Kashmir now living in B.C., says India hastaken aunilateral decision of changing the fate of Kashmiri people without consulting them.

"What's happened right now is unprecedented, I've never seen this before in my lifetime," he said about the unrest.

Manzoor was married in Kashmir last year and has been trying to call his parents there for the past few days without success.

"I'm really scared and worried about the future of the Kashmiri nation and its people," he said.

The Canadian government says it is following developments in Jammuand Kashmir.

• Kashmir uncertainty: The key questions after India asserts control

Ramana says that outside nations are being cautious because of India's large economy and potential for trade.

But Wani and Qasim hope that Canada will take up a bigger role in fighting for human rights in the area.

They, along with others with Kashmiri roots, planto protest outside ofVancouver's Indian Consulate on Thursday.