At least three people were killed and scores injured in violent clashes between Rangers and activists of the JAAC in Muzaffarabad city (the capital of Azad Kashmir), reports say.
The protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir (Azad Jammu and Kashmir) have become angrier on news that negotiations between the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the authorities have failed to reach any conclusion.
‘It would be a betrayal of our martyrs to cancel the march just because the government is refusing to meet our demands’, declared a member Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri of the JAAC.
The Awami Action Committee for its part has decided that it is no longer worthwhile for caravans to circulate in convoy since the government is only prepared to consider demands for a subsidy on flour. Therefore, the caravans should converge on Muzaffarabad.
While initially provoked by the cost of bread and the price of electricity, protesters and police have clashed for two days, leading to scores of injuries and one policeman’s death on Saturday.
At present, the protest convoys are heading from most cities towards Muzaffarabad, while internet services have been partially suspended in most Kashmiri cities, including Muzaffarabad. According to Imtiaz Aslam, a member of the Action Committee, talks failed due to three leading demands: equal subsidy on flour as in Gilgit-Baltistan, fair costs for electricity depending on the cost of production from Mangala Hydropower Project, and complete removal of privileges for bureaucrats and politicians.
At the same time, Aslam reported the committee’s readiness to talk about concessions to the government but stressed the inevitability of peaceful protest. The protests, originally planned for May 11, have already started due to the arrests in Dadyal and Mirpur.
Dozens were arrested, and both protesters and police officers sustained injuries.
The subsequent long march from Mirpur and Kotli faced attempts to halt it, resulting in confrontations between protesters and police. Several protesters were injured due to police firing, and a sub-inspector was reported killed in the clashes.
Faisal Mumtaz Rathore, a leader of the Pakistan People’s Party and Chairman of the Government Reconciliation Committee, plans to discuss the issues with President Asif Zardari and remains optimistic about resolution.
Meanwhile, Amjad Ali Khan, another Action Committee member, stresses the importance of collective decision-making by the committee’s 31 core members, urging against individual actions during the protests.
Shaukat Nawaz Mir, Chairman of Central Anjuman Tajran Muzaffarabad, asserts that the protests will continue indefinitely, condemning the disruption of mobile services.
Faisal Jameel Kashmiri, a member of the Awami Action Committee, outlines the movement’s origins and demands, blaming Prime Minister Anwar ul Haq for the current situation.
Kashmiri calls for peaceful protest and criticizes the suppression of dissenting voices, emphasizing the movement’s inclusive nature and denouncing accusations of sabotage.
Government Responds with Aid Package Amid Rising Tensions:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has taken urgent action to address the escalating situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) by approving a substantial aid package worth Rs23 billion for the region. The decision was made following an emergency meeting chaired by Prime Minister Sharif, which was attended by key political leaders, including the prime minister of AJK, federal ministers, and coalition party representatives.
The aid package, announced by Prime Minister Sharif, aims to mitigate the challenges faced by the people of AJK, particularly in light of recent protests. Measures included in the package involve significant reductions in the prices of government-provided flour and electricity. Immediate provision of the aid package was ordered by the prime minister.
In response to the announcement, the price of government flour has seen a notable decrease, dropping by Rs1,100 per maund, resulting in a new price of Rs2,000 per maund. Adjustments in electricity prices have also been made, with rates set at Rs3 per unit for domestic consumers consuming up to 100 units.
Despite the government’s efforts to address grievances, the Awami Joint Action Committee remains cautious. Representatives of the committee emphasize the need for written assurances, expressing skepticism about verbal commitments. They insist on formal government notification before deciding on the future course of action.
Meanwhile, the situation in AJK remains tense, with protests persisting for the fourth consecutive day. The shutter down and wheel-jam strike has paralyzed daily life, with markets closed, public transport suspended, and government offices and educational institutions shut. Internet services were temporarily suspended, but later reinstated.
To maintain order, a contingent of Rangers has been deployed in Muzaffarabad, the capital of AJK. However, clashes between protesters and paramilitary Rangers have resulted in casualties, including three deaths. Despite reductions in flour and electricity prices announced by the AJK government, the situation remains volatile, prompting a reevaluation of the protest’s trajectory.
