Massive Unrest Grips Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir As Protests Escalate For ‘Rights And Freedom’
What initially began as protests against economic challenges such as inflation, and high taxation, has transformed into a widespread movement advocating for rights and freedom throughout PoK.
Massive unrest has erupted in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with authorities deploying a massive crackdown to suppress escalating protests across the occupied region. The turmoil intensified on Saturday as clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement resulted in the death of a police officer and injuries to 90 others, news agency IANS reported.
As per reports, what initially began as protests against economic challenges such as inflation, high taxation, and electricity shortages, has transformed into a widespread movement advocating for rights and freedom throughout PoK. Protestors, rallying for “azad” (freedom), engaged in confrontations with police and security personnel in various districts, notably in Mazaffarabad, as reported by IANS.
The protests, led by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, have seen active participation from local traders. However, the committee’s leaders and members faced arrests following a strike call on Friday.
Saukat Nawaz Mir, chairman of the Traders Association Muzaffarabad and a member of the Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, condemned the police’s actions against the peaceful protesters in Dadyal.
“There is going to be a complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike observed across PoK and specifically in Muzaffarabad against the police brutality against our peaceful protesters in Dadyal,” Mir was quoted as saying by IANS.
I call on everyone to come out today and raise your voice for your rights,” he added further.
This recent wave of protests echoes a similar demonstration staged by the committee in August 2023, noting the persistent grievances over issues such as electricity tariffs.
“We reject the imposition of taxes on electricity bills. Instead, we demand that electricity should be provided to consumers by the production cost of hydel power in the region,” Mir said.
S Jaishankar On PoK
Earlier on May 5, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reignited discourse on PoK’s status during an interaction in Cuttack, Odisha, on May 5. Asserting that PoK gas always been an integral part of India, Jaishankar lamented the failure of the earlier governments to ensure Pakistan’s withdrawal from the region post-independence.
“PoK has never been out of this country. It has always been a part of this country. There is a resolution of the Indian parliament that PoK is very much a part of India. Now, how did other people get control? Ab ho jaata hai (it happens) when you have someone who is not a responsible custodian of a house, an outsider will come and steal something,” Jaishankar had said.
He further added, “Here you have allowed another country... It was because we did not pursue the vacation of Pakistan from these territories in the early years of Independence that this very sorry state of affairs has continued.”
“What will happen in the future is very difficult to tell. But, I always tell people one thing today PoK is in the consciousness once again of the people of India. We had forgotten about it, we were made to forget about it, but it is back now, definitely,” the EAM had said.
Jaishankar's remarks reignited a narrative he had presented earlier in Hyderabad, where he attributed foreign policy challenges, including the Kashmir issue, to decisions made by the Congress government post-independence.
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