Muzaffarabad/Islamabad:
At least nine people, including three policemen, were killed after violence broke out in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on the third day of a general strike called by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) for reforms and public facilities in the region, officials said Wednesday.
According to media reports, business and other activities remained closed in AJK due to the strike in the midst of a communication interruption, while events of violence occurred in DHIR KOT and other areas. The AJK government said that 172 policemen and 50 civilians had also caused damage to the clashes.
The AJK government said in a statement that the authorities were working to restore order and called on the public not to be misled by what they described as propaganda and “fake news” circulating on social media under a “specific agenda.”
Led by Jaac Central -Leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir brought the strike Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Poonch, Neelum, Bhimber and Palandri to standstill. The markets were closed, roads were blocked, and internet services were limited over large parts of Muzaffarabad, except in areas bordering the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.
According to reports, three policemen were killed and nine others wounded during an attack done by armed men belonging to Jaac in Dhir Kot. The martyred policemen were identified as constable Khurshid and Constable Jameel, both from Bagh, and Constable Tahir Rafi from Muzaffarabad.
Jaac, who organized the strike and protests, has established a broad charter with demands, including an end to the privileges of the ruling elite, the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for refugees and the scrap of the quota system.
The Committee’s other requirements include free and uniform education across the territory, free health facilities, reforms within the legal framework for AJK and the establishment of an international airport.
Officials noted that both the Pakistani Government and the AJK government had already accepted a majority of JAAC’s requirements in previous negotiating rounds. However, conversations eventually collapsed when a few remaining problems could be reached.
This prompted Jaac to call for protests and a strike that went into its third day in a row on Wednesday. Business activity across AJK remains severely disturbed, while all entry points connecting Kashmir with Pakistan have been sealed by the protesters.
Reports from different cities indicate occasional but intense clashes between protesters and police forces, with demonstrations that often become violent. Officials said protesters in several incidents opened fire on police staff.
Residents described closed markets, deserted roads and a tense atmosphere over Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot and other key cities. Commercial activity has stopped, which further aggravates the financial difficulties of the region.
In the midst of rising tensions, AJK prime minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq expanded an open invitation to the Jaac management for renewed conversations. He said Jaac had originally announced peaceful demonstrations, but the situation had since “taken a dangerous reversal.”
“Three police officers have been martyrated and 10 more wounded due to the firing of violent protesters,” Haq told journalists at a joint press conference together with the Federal Parliament Minister Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry in Islamabad.
“It is also clear that protesters outside AJK have joined the agitation. Had this been limited to our own people, cases might not have escalated that far,” he said. “I urge [JAAC] Leadership to arrive at dialogue. Violence will only bring bloodshed, not solutions. “
Chaudhry emphasized that the government was prepared to accept the “legitimate demands of the protesters.” He added that in September, 90% of Jaac’s claims had already been agreed, but still the Tur Committee still for agitation.
Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry repeated these feelings. He confirmed that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had mandated him with the federal minister of Kashmir affairs engraving Amir Muqam to engage directly in the Jaac leadership of Muzaffarabad.
He clarified that only two questions remained unresolved – the abolition of refugee collections and a reduction in the number of ministers – both of which required constitutional changes and could not be implemented immediately.
Prime Minister Haq expressed grief over the loss of life and said, “Providing people through civilian groups only leads to anarchy and unnecessary tragedy. Taking a life is like taking the lives of all humanity. We must avoid a path that brings more blood emit.”
According to the AJK government declaration, 172 police officers were wounded in the ongoing violent protests, including 12 critical, while 50 civilians were also injured. It appealed to the public to refrain from violence.
(With Input from News Desk)
