India on Tuesday dismissed the local elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a "complete farce", accusing Pakistan of attempting to legitimise its actions through a "hollow electoral exercise". Speaking at a media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the real situation in PoK was marked by public protests and the killing of civilians during an ongoing crackdown.
He claimed that at least 90 civilians have been killed since June, with many more injured, alleging that Pakistani forces had responded to public dissent with "bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression". Jaiswal said the international community should see through Pakistan's claims on human rights and hold it accountable.
India Rejects PoK Polls
Responding to the elections, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the so-called local polls in PoK could not conceal the reality of public unrest and an ongoing security crackdown.
He alleged that Pakistani authorities had responded to public discontent with "bullets, communication blackouts, intimidation and repression", while attempting to manufacture legitimacy through the electoral process.
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Voting Resumes Amid Tensions
Polling is being held in the Muzaffarabad-1 constituency and at 52 polling stations in Muzaffarabad-2 after voting scheduled for August 2 was deferred due to protests, road closures and incidents of arson.
The latest round of voting comes against the backdrop of a boycott campaign and continued demonstrations in several parts of PoK.
Reports also emerged on Tuesday of fresh firing by Pakistani Rangers on protesters in Bagh. Images circulating from Muzaffarabad purportedly showed plainclothes Frontier Corps personnel opening fire during the unrest, although these claims have not been independently verified.
The violence follows anti-government protests in Khori Bridge on Monday evening, where demonstrators reportedly staged protests and set property ablaze against the government led by Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The developments have further intensified tensions in PoK, where protests and security operations have continued alongside the delayed electoral process, drawing sharp criticism from India over the conduct of the polls and the broader situation in the region.
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