Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) is on edge as clashes between protesters and authorities have turned bloody.
Officials said at least seven people have been killed and 63 injured as the authorities’ crackdown on protesters demanding changes to the electoral system continues. As the protesters intensified their movement, the regional government declared the Joint Army Action Committee (JAAC) a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws. But the JAAC has continued its agitation, and a region-wide strike is scheduled for Tuesday.
Rawalakot Commissioner Sardar Waheed told AFP that three civilians were killed and 40 wounded. The clashes also left four police personnel dead and injured 23 others.
Dawn reported the police as saying in a statement that personnel had been shot with firearms and shotguns, and described the incident as “terrorism”. The statement vowed not to compromise on the safety of citizens and public peace.
The authorities told AFP that more than 70 JAAC members had been arrested over the weekend.
The ongoing violence is the latest episode in the long-running tensions in the region, where the JAAC and other groups have been demanding a slew of changes in the way the regional and federal governments administer the territory. Widespread violence also broke out in September and October, with the toll crossing the 200 mark.
In the latest episode, the JAAC has called for a region-wide protest over its demand to abolish 12 seats in the region’s legislative assembly reserved for refugees from J&K who settled in mainland Pakistan after 1947. The group claims these seats are used by mainstream Pakistani parties to influence government formation in the region. Essentially, the abolition of these seats is seen as a way to seek greater autonomy for the region.
Notably, the JAAC has called the region-wide strike on Tuesday, the same day the regional election commission has scheduled the filing of nomination papers for the upcoming July 27 elections to begin. The regional authorities have sought around 14,000 additional security personnel from the federal government to contain the situation.
Meanwhile, videos circulating on social media show convoys of security personnel entering Muzaffarabad, the regional capital. At the same time, the authorities have shut down internet access. Watchdog NetBlocks said internet connectivity has dropped sharply in the region.
