Prominent international daily the New York Times reports that despite India’s false claims of normalcy in Kashmir, the territory struggles under heavy-handed rule creating a climate of fear and uncertainty.

In a report, the paper notes that the local elections in Kashmir were being propounded as a sign of democracy in the territory but the reality remains different as nothing in Kashmir is normal.

The paper points out that many prominent Kashmiri politicians and activists remain in detention, internet and mobile phone services blocked.