European lawmakers in Kashmir amid tensions

Cases of domestic violence usually go unreported in Indian-administered Kashmir because of the media's tendency to focus on political issues. Observers say social conflict increases incidences of violence against women.

Cars line up outside a shopping mall in India's capital New Delhi where a drive-thru clinic has been set-up to administer Covid-19 vaccines. Demand is far outstripping supplies for jabs in India, with only 3.5 percent of the population fully vaccinated. "We’re vaccinating a little more than we were about 10 days ago, two weeks ago. We’ve crossed three million per day," says Gautam Menon, professor of physics and biology at India’s Ashoka University.

Indian police have moved against the head of Twitter in India, Manish Maheshwari, over a map which showed Jammu and Kashmir and a Buddhist region as independent countries.

Thousands of Kashmiri youth are becoming addicted to heroin, amid extreme economic and psychological stress. Experts say recent lockdowns and the widespread availability of the drug are major contributing factors.

Female soldiers were sent to the restive region for the first time in May, but critics say the military still has a long way to go on gender equality.

New Delhi's Central Vista used to be a favourite spot with residents of the Indian capital. But the large public space, close to the president's house and heritage buildings, is being remodelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. The €2 billion construction caused uproar when it was deemed an "essential service" at a time when Indians were dying by the thousands from Covid-19. The move reopened debate around heritage conservation and public spaces in India’s ancient capital. Our correspondents report.

Public protests in Indian-controlled Kashmir were once an almost weekly occurrence but two years after New Delhi imposed direct rule on the region, locals say arbitrary arrests and intimidation by security forces wielding batons and snatching phones have left many too scared to voice dissent.

Around 300 Afghan refugees in New Delhi shout slogans demanding human rights and resettlement by UN Agencies. The refugees say most of them have not received any help from the UN agencies in India. "We have nothing, no future, no education," says a 14-year-old Afghan refugee in India.

The death of India-administered Kashmir's separatist politician Syed Ali Shah Geelani has prompted Indian authorities to clamp down on security in the restive region. Pakistan's PM saluted "his courageous struggle."

The death of separatist leader Syed Ali Geelani raised tensions in Kashmir, with authorities slapping charges on his family members. Geelani's relatives accuse the police of stealing his body.

India-administered Kashmir is reportedly seeing a surge in foreign militants. Analysts warn that increasing disaffection among young Kashmiris in the disputed region could have serious consequences.

Much animosity has built up since India scrapped Kashmir's special status two years ago. DW spoke with several Kashmiris, many of whom have harsh feelings about the Indian government.