Massive protests in PoK! One police officer killed, 100 injured in clashes with police, posters demand merger with India
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Muzaffrabad, May 13: A police officer was killed and over 100 individuals, primarily law enforcement personnel, sustained injuries during intense protests between security forces and demonstrators against inflation and lack of amenities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Posters were seen in Rawalkot which spoke about merger with India.
The protests were led by the Awami Action Committee (AAC) that began on May 10 against inflation, which led to a crackdown by security forces. There was a shutter-down strike. Police resorted to tear gas shelling. The strikes took place in Muzaffrabad, Sehansa, Mirpur, Rawalkot, Khuiratta, Tattapani and Hattian Bala.
The PoK government has imposed Section 144 shutting down educational institutions and offices. Videos and pictures circulating on social media show police using batons on protestors leaving 100 injured.
Dear International Media,
— Anshul Saxena (@AskAnshul) May 12, 2024
What is stopping you from reporting about the oppression of Kashmiris in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) by Pakistan & its forces?
Even when a terrorist is eliminated in India, you all target Indian forces & accuse India of oppressing Kashmiris. pic.twitter.com/6QLixLqGs9
PoK activist seeks India's help
PoK activist Amjad Ayub Mirza alleged that Pakistani forces were shooting at unarmed civilians. Mirza called for intervention of the Indian government saying that the situation had gone out of control and that India should help them and people in Gilgit Baltistan gain independence.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s PM Shehbaz Sharif has urged his officials to negotiate with representatives of Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Muzafrabad who were also protesting. “While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy, there should be no tolerance for taking the law in into one’s own hands and damaging government property,’’ Sharif said.
Kashmiri civilians in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) are on streets to demand Aazadi from Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/EDYRe5tGak
— Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) May 12, 2024
Reports said police arrested around 70 JAAC activists during raids in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions, leading to clashes in Dadyal on Wednesday and Thursday.
Following this, the organisation called for a massive strike in the capital on Friday after police arrested several of its leaders and activists in overnight raids in different parts of Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions. The committee had previously announced that people from across the state would stage a long march towards Muzaffarabad on May 11.
During a strike on Friday, violent clashes occurred between protesters and police in various parts of Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK. To stop the protests, police resorted to teargas shelling, which affected people in homes and mosques after demonstrators pelted stones.