Two Kashmiri youths were martyred by Indian forces in the Budgam district of Indian-held Kashmir (IHK) on Wednesday. According to the Kashmir Media Service, the youths were martyred during a search-and-cordon operation in Chadoora area of the district. The fresh spate of violence comes as a two-day shutdown is being observed in the occupied valley against India’s intention to change the demography of the occupied territory by abrogating articles 35A and 370 of the Indian constitution. Article 35A empowers the legislature of the occupied valley to define permanent residents and provide special rights and privileges to those residents. Article 370 gives autonomous status to Held Kashmir. The strike call was given by Hurriyet leaders Syed Ali Gilani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and Yasin Malik. In a statement, the leaders said the people of the occupied valley will resist every effort by India to change the demography of the region. Published in Daily Times, February 14th 2019.