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n Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, elections are currently underway, during which the Joint Awami Action Committee has launched a protest movement over economic and political issues.
According to reports so far, 11 people have been killed and more than 71 others injured in firing by police forces during the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
The clashes reportedly began when a crowd gathered outside a hospital where the body of a member of another organization, who was allegedly killed in police firing, had been kept.
Police said that four police officers and one passerby were killed in firing by rioters. Following the incident, police launched a retaliatory operation in which six protesters were killed. According to reports available until Monday, 23 security personnel were injured and more than 30 people have been arrested in connection with the violence.
In the PoK Legislative Assembly, 12 seats have been reserved for refugees who came from other parts of Pakistan, such as Punjab. Many local residents are unhappy with this arrangement, arguing that they do not want external political interference in the region's affairs.
The region generates hydroelectric power, yet residents say they are being charged excessively high electricity rates despite living in an area that produces a significant amount of electricity.
Pakistan has abolished subsidies on wheat and other essential food items, leading to increased costs for basic necessities.
Residents allege that water from the Neelum and Kishanganga rivers is being diverted toward Punjab, leading to water shortages for local communities in the region.
Residents and protest groups in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir allege that they are facing repression by both the authorities and security forces. They also cite soaring inflation, unemployment, unfulfilled government promises, privileges enjoyed by the elite, treatment of locals as second- or third-class citizens, the arrest of peaceful activists, and the deaths of protesters as key reasons behind the growing public anger and unrest in the region.
Photo: @ EPA
The Pakistan Army's actions have once again come under scrutiny. According to protesters and local reports, security forces opened direct fire on people participating in a protest march, resulting in multiple deaths and injuries.
Pakistan's intelligence agencies and police jointly conducted late-night raids on the homes of several JAAC activists without warrants. They also alleged that security personnel mistreated family members during the operations.
Mobile internet, broadband, and telephone services in the area were completely shut down, allegedly to prevent information and news from reaching international media outlets and social media platforms.
Reports have emerged of harassment and intimidation of local journalists by the police and army. Journalists who were reporting and publishing what they described as the real situation on the ground were allegedly told to stop their coverage and were threatened and intimidated.
The army has blocked major roads leading to protest-affected cities such as Muzaffarabad and Rawalakot. As a result, these cities are reportedly facing severe shortages of essential food supplies and medicines.
Excessive force was used against people who were peacefully protesting for their economic demands, and baton charges were also carried out against the demonstrators.
India has said that Pakistan is committing serious human rights violations in the region.
India said that the Pakistan Army should be held accountable on international platforms for its use of force against civilians.
On this issue, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that…
A pattern of fake news and misleading videos related to PoK has been observed. India said this appears to be a desperate attempt by Pakistan to hide its own failures and divert attention from alleged human rights violations in the region.
India said that Pakistan is attempting to divert attention from the situation unfolding within its own territory by creating tensions along the border. India condemned what it described as an effort to distract from Pakistan's internal issues.
India once again reiterated that Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) is an integral part of India.
India once again reminded the international community that, according to its position, Pakistan has been illegally occupying the region since 1947.
India may seek to raise the issue at the United Nations and other international forums as part of its efforts to increase diplomatic pressure on Pakistan.
India has criticized Pakistan over the deaths of people during the unrest and expressed concern about the reported use of force against civilians.
