Political parties vow to fight removal of Kashmir’s autonomy

SRINAGAR, India (AP) — Half a dozen political parties have vowed to fight for restoration of the special status that was stripped last year from Indian-administered Kashmir, setting off widespread anger and economic ruin amid a harsh security clampdown.

Four pro-India Kashmiri political parties and two Indian political parties, including the main opposition Congress Party, said in a joint statement that India’s move “unrecognizably changed the relationship” between the region and New Delhi.

It called the changes “spitefully shortsighted and unconstitutional” and sought to “collectively fight” them.