Muzaffarabad:
A shutdown and wheel-jam strike over Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Monday, called by Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), paralyzed life in major districts before escalating to violence after clashes at Neelum Bridge.
Led by JKJAAC Central -Leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir brought the strike Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Poonch, Neelum, Bhimber and Palandari. The markets remained closed, roads were blocked, and internet services were limited over large parts of Muzaffarabad, except areas bordering on Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Landline, cellular and private internet networks were also largely suspended.
Tensions flared as activists at the Muslim conference and held a parallel “Aman March” to support shop owners who want to keep companies open, confronted JKJAAC demonstrants at Neelum Bridge. Muslim conference supporters, including party leader Raja Saqib Majeed and his brother, allegedly opened fire on protesters.
“The incident trapped in viral footage on social media clearly shows the people shooting against the crowd,” said journalist Farhan Ahmed Khan. Four protesters were injured; One of them, Sudheer, later died in the hospital.
In the evening, nearly 5,000 people gathered at Lal Chowk, where Shaukat Nawaz Mir gave a fiery 17-minute speech.
He condemned the firing, accused the authorities of trying to arrange “another May 9” through their “touts” and insisted that JKJAAC did not contain any hostility to state institutions or the Pakistani army.
MIR announced that a protest would be held with Sudhe’s body in Chehlabandi on Neelum Road demanding a four and post-Mortem, of which none of them had ended.
He also called for further demonstrations at Lal Chowk on Tuesday afternoon. “False recordings are sent to imply that everything is normal,” he claimed, promising to continue protests until the requirements are met.
Wider protests
Protests spread across the Muzaffarabad, where thousands gather in sensitive areas over AJK under leaders, including Sardar Aman Khan.
Roads were blocked and towns lambed. In Britain, demonstrations were held in London and Bradford, where Raja Amjad Ali Khan approached the Pakistani Consulate.
“We have no Krangel with any institution or the army,” said Raja Amjad Ali. “Branding of protesters as traitors serving only Pakistan’s enemies. This movement includes all thinking schools and only seeking people’s rights.”
The Federal Minister of Kashmir Affairs Amer Muqam called for dialogue and remembered that he and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry had tried to negotiate with jkjaac days earlier.
The negotiations failed, he said, as the requirements of reforms of 12 Pakistan-based AJK assembly seats and privileges for officials demanded constitutional changes.
The AJK government has not yet issued an official statement. Reports of firing on ambulances were denied. JKJAAC maintained that Baton-Overvailing Protesters symbolized the peaceful nature of their movement.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies said they had begun litigation against those involved in vandalism and rebellion.
“No one is allowed to interfere with the daily lives of their malicious agendas,” said security officials, promising “strict lawsuits against anyone who damages public property or encourages unrest.”
