What is behind the deadly violence in PoK? Banned group, businessman’s death, protests — Everything you need to know | Today’s news
“In this context, we continue to observe a pattern of fake news and videos coming out of Pakistan. It appears to be a desperate attempt by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and divert attention from human rights violations,” Jaiswal said at a press conference on Tuesday.
He said that “several reports of police brutality in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir” indicated that “several people have been killed while many others have been injured”.
“We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its wrongdoings and abuses,” he added.
What is happening in PoK?
A protest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), sparked by regional grievances and a ban on the organization, turned violent this week, killing several people and injuring scores.
As many as 11 people were killed in clashes between police and protesters on Sunday, Al Jazeera reported. Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan said at least seven civilians and four policemen were killed during a clash between police and JAAC protesters in PoK’s Rawalakot on Sunday.
However, PoK activists involved in the movement claimed that the security crackdown over the past two days has resulted in more than 100 deaths and numerous injuries, PTI reported.
The trigger for the protest was the banning of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a prominent civil rights and socio-political coalition.
On Friday 6 June, the organization was designated as a Prohibited Organization and banned under anti-terrorism legislation.
The event coincided with the opening of nominations for the parliamentary elections to be held on 27 July.
With the authorities announcing general elections to be held in July, the JAAC has announced that it will stage a protest on June 9 to press for its demands. However, the government banned the group and arrested several of its members.
India lodged a strong protest against Pakistan against the recent elections, claiming that PoK was “illegally and forcibly” occupied by Pakistan.
What sparked the protest?
According to PTI, JAAC has long been demanding the abolition of 12 “refugee seats” in the so-called Legislative Assembly in PoK.
The seats are reserved for Kashmiri refugees who settled in Pakistan after 1947. The JAAC reportedly alleged that these seats were often used by mainstream Pakistani political parties to influence the formation of governments in Muzaffarabad.
Experts told Al Jazeera that the current crisis is part of a deeper, long-term debate about governance, political representation, resource allocation and regional autonomy in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
A civil society group is also leading demonstrations over political and economic grievances in the region. Several reports claimed that JAAC was planning a protest march to force the government to implement a 38-point agenda that calls for subsidized flour and electricity.
According to News18, the unrest in Rawalakot developed after weeks of growing friction between the authorities and local residents over issues such as governance, resource allocation, unemployment, inflation and repeated internet shutdowns.
The complaints raised in the protest are not new. There have been several agitations in the past regarding lack of electricity and food.
After JAAC was banned by local authorities, the organization called for a nationwide strike against bike jamming, Al Jazeera claimed.
Internet and mobile data services were suspended in several areas, examinations were postponed and additional Pakistani security forces were deployed in several districts.
Tuesday’s protest was the fourth such protest led by JAAC.
What led to the violence?
The clashes came after tensions flared over the death of a businessman who was reportedly shot dead during a confrontation with law enforcement officers on Friday night. This created new anger among the residents.
The police said the situation remained tense due to the protest call, hence the University of Jammu and Kashmir and Mirpur Intermediate Board canceled the examinations scheduled to begin on June 8.
According to a report by News18, security forces moved in to disperse the protesters who gathered outside the hospital mortuary where the body of the deceased was taken.
Authorities claimed that some protesters used guns and petrol bombs during the clashes, prompting a violent response in which several deaths were reported.
However, JAAC supporters and several local accounts disputed the official version, claiming that the number of civilian casualties was significantly higher than reported, the report added.
Earlier, officials blamed protesters for Sunday’s attack on the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalakot.
(With input from news and agencies)
