PoK Protest: The ongoing protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoJK) for the last few days have taken a violent turn. The situation has once gone out of control. Asim Munir’s army is now resorting to bullets to suppress the protesters. Pakistani Army, Rangers and local police allegedly fired indiscriminately on the protesters and used tear gas, in which at least 27 people have died so far, while a large number of people are injured. Internet services have been completely stopped in the area.
Former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police SP Vaidya strongly criticized the violence in PoK and compared the firing by the Pakistani Army on protesters to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
‘Instead of talks, we faced bullets’
He said that the firing on peaceful protesters in PoJK is similar to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Citizens demanding their rights faced bullets instead of negotiations.
Accusing Pakistan, Vaidya said that it never wants the well-being of Kashmiris. He said, “People were only demanding flour, electricity and basic needs, but their voices are being suppressed with bullets. Pakistan should take care of its own people first.”
Vaidya further said that this development is exposing Pakistan’s false Kashmir narrative. The Pakistani army and government are becoming surrounded by growing discontent in PoJK, Gilgit-Baltistan, Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He advised the Pakistani government that the people of these areas are continuously vocalizing their concerns. Their aspirations should be respected and stop suppressing them by force.
Why are demonstrations taking place in PoK?
The protesters took to the streets mainly under the banner of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). They were raising voice on issues like inflation, rising prices of flour and electricity, lack of basic facilities and reserved seats imposed by Pakistan in PoJK. The protesters allege that the Pakistani administration is looting their territory and suppressing their rights.
When the protesters staged a shutdown and marched in several areas including Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad, security forces used firing and tear gas to disperse them.
India condemned
It is being condemned at international level including India. Indian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said in a statement on Tuesday (June 9) that the entire Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. The entire international community is watching the barbarity that is happening in PoK. It is our hope that the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and its atrocities. He stressed that efforts to suppress the voice of the people of PoK will not be successful in the long run.
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