Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has announced that the government has accepted their demands and therefore they are ending protests.
AJK government has decreased the price of flour and also reduced the electricity tariff, two of the main demands of the activists who have been protesting throughout the state for five days, after talks with the core committee of the JAAC.
Azad Jammu and Kashmir witnessed complete strike and shutter down on Friday and thousands from different districts started march towards Muzaffarabad, the capital of the AJK, the following day on Saturday when the police raided the houses of the members of the JAAC and arrested dozens. The protest movement turned violent after the clashes erupted between the protestors and police on Saturday and Sunday against the action of the police, resulting death of a police officer and injuries to over 90 including policemen and revenue officials. Marchers, crossing the police barriers and hurdles, reached Muzaffarabad where they clashed with paramilitary forces including the Rangers. At least four people were killed during Monday’s clashes, according to reports.
Meanwhile, Islamabad government announced Rs23 billion package for AJK. President Asif Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appealed to the activists to hold dialogue with Jammu Kashmir government and stay clam. The negotiations between two sides succeeded on Tuesday and the JAAC announced to end the march and protest movement, reports said.
The government announced the flour price of 20 kg bag as Rs1000 and electricity unit Rs3 for 100 units electricity consumption. Those who will consume up to 300 units will be charged Rs5 per unit and Rs6 per unit tariff was fixed on consuming more than 300 units. Commercial consumers will be charges Rs10 and Rs15 on using per months 300 units and above respectively.
