Muzaffarabad: Popular protests against the government are intensifying in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
On Tuesday, 10 civilians and two security personnel (a Ranger and a police officer) were killed in clashes between protesters and security forces. The violent clashes took place mainly in Poonch division. The administration has imposed an undeclared ban on the media in Rawalakot to prevent information about the protests from leaking out.
The cities have been completely shut down to prevent the protesters from entering Muzaffarabad. The protest is being led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) against inflation and political discrimination. Their main demands include ending the benefits of the ruling class, ensuring minimum wages, and giving local control over natural resources. Reports suggest that around 40,000 people are expected to participate in the march announced for Muzaffarabad.
While the Pakistani army accused the protesters of being armed, the Action Committee countered by saying that they were protesting peacefully and that the army was trying to quell the protests by firing on the infiltrators. The Pakistani government is moving to take tough measures to control the situation.
There are concerns that this could lead to further conflict in the region. Protesters have accused the Pakistani government of blocking the supply of food and medicine to the region as the protests intensified. They have also appealed to India to help them.
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs responded that the protests are a reflection of decades of exploitation and denial of rights faced by the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. India has called on Pakistan to use excessive force and the international community to hold it accountable.
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