Over 500 detained as Occupied Kashmir seethes under lockdown

New Delhi: More than 500 people have been rounded up in the latest crackdown in Occupied Kashmir which has been on the edge since the right-wing government revoked its autonomy, reports said Thursday.

University professors, business leaders and activists were among the 560 people taken to makeshift detention centres -- some during midnight raids -- in the cities of Srinagar, Baramulla and Gurez, the Press Trust of India and the Indian Express reported.

The detentions came as Prime Minister Narendra Modi was set to address the nation on the radio later Thursday to explain his Hindu nationalist government´s decision to revoke the seven-decade long special status of the region through a presidential decree.

Tens of thousands of Indian troops have enforced a strict curfew, which includes no internet or phone services, and are allowing only limited movement on streets usually bustling with tourists flocking to the picturesque valley.

Experts warn that the valley is likely to erupt in anger at the government´s shock unilateral move once the restrictions are lifted, which could come as soon as the Muslim festival of Eid on Monday.

Late Wednesday India´s aviation security agency advised airports across the country to step up security.

The developments in Occupied Kashmir have irked  Pakistan which Wednesday said it was downgrading diplomatic ties with Delhi. 

Islamabad has also vowed to take the matter to the United Nations Security Council.