Srinagar, July 30 (KMS): In occupied Kashmir, as the Independence Day of India is approaching, Kashmiris are feeling the heat of miseries and sufferings.

In the run-up to the occasion, normal life is badly hit in the valley and security has been beefed up in Srinagar and elsewhere in the territory and common people are subjected to thorough frisking. The security scenario around vital institutions including major hospitals and other high profile government offices has been further tightened and these places have become out of bound for civilians. 

It has always been a challenge for the puppet administration to conduct Independence Day functions smoothly and demonstrate to the international community that Kashmiris are a part of India. People in the valley have always observed the Day as black day.

Reports from major townships and districts also confirmed the frequent frisking of pedestrians and vehicles by the Indian troops. Life in the valley, especially in the capital city has become cumbersome with CRPF and police conducting surprise checks. One has to go through at least three security checks to travel a distance of just 12 kilometers from Lal Chowk to Hazratbal. The business establishments in the city especially in the commercial hub Lal Chowk close before the scheduled time as the civil lines area of the city has witnessed at least two crack downs each day during past two weeks.

In remote villages of Kupwara and Handwara, the situation becomes even more upsetting as soon as the sun sets. The common man has to answer a barrage of questions before a patrol party can free him and in case a person has grown a beard or wears kameez shalwar, he is a suspect. "Patrolling is frequent in villages and locals are harassed by the troops on different pretexts. People prefer to stay in door especially in the evening hours as contingents of troops virtually cordon off the area. We are desperate to see the Independence Day celebrations getting over," said, a Chowkibal resident.

In the wake of frequent patrolling by Indian troops in the highly sensitive Lolab valley and remote areas of Handwara, life has come to a standstill. The intensity of fear can be imagined by the fact that parents in Lolab advise their children to stay at home and not risk their lives.

Drivers and others ferrying passengers across the valley also do not find many passengers due to the Independence Day phobia among the people.