PoK Protest: The situation has gone out of control in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). The bandh and protests called on 9 June turned violent. From Rawalkot to Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Palandri and many other areas, thousands of people are taking to the streets and protesting and raising slogans against the Pakistani government and army. At the same time, Pakistani army opened indiscriminate bullets on the protesters and also fired tear gas shells. There is news of death of many people in this. A large number of people have been injured.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets
Violence broke out across the region after the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) called for a long march and bandh on June 9. In Rawalakot, a large number of people have started protesting by taking to the streets since 11 am. During this time the main road has been blocked. Pakistani police, army and rangers have opened fire to stop the protesters. Apart from this, tear gas shells were released.
People are being appealed from many mosques of Rawalakot to join the movement. The announcements said that the land of Jammu and Kashmir has been attacked by Firangi forces and ‘all Kashmiris are requested to join the march.
Earlier on Sunday (June 7) night clashes took place in which seven civilians lost their lives. At the same time, on June 5, the PoJK administration declared JAAC a banned organization under the Anti-Terrorism Act. After this, many leaders of the organization were detained, offices were sealed, internet and mobile services were banned and heavy deployment of security forces was made.
Protest leaders alleged that internet services have been shut down across PoK since the night of June 5, leading to a complete breakdown of communication in the region.
JAAC has been raising issues like inflation, power crisis, unemployment, poor governance and political neglect of the sector for a long time. The organization has put forward an agenda of 38-point demands in which subsidy on electricity and flour, economic reforms and local self-governance are the main ones. Apart from this, JAAC also opposes 12 reserved seats for non-residents in the assembly. The organization says that through these seats, big parties of Pakistan will capture the local assembly of PoK from outside.
British MPs also expressed concern
This development has also attracted the attention of the international community. People of PoK settled abroad are protesting extensively. Many British MPs have also expressed serious concern over the news of deaths and injuries in Rawalkote. The United Kashmir People’s National Party (UKPNP) has strongly condemned Pakistani security forces, terming the incident as ‘genocide’.