Protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir escalate as police crackdown on demonstrators
Protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have turned violent as Pakistani police have cracked down on demonstrators protesting against heavy taxation, high inflation, and electricity shortages. According to reports, the protests, which began on Friday, have resulted in the deaths of two protesters and the arrest of several others.
The protests were organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), an umbrella group representing various political parties in PoK. The JKJAAC has condemned the Pakistani government’s actions and called for an end to the violence.
The Pakistani government has denied that its forces have used excessive force and has blamed the protesters for instigating the violence. However, videos have emerged that appear to show Pakistani police firing live ammunition into the crowd.
The protests have highlighted the growing dissatisfaction among the people of PoK with the Pakistani government. The region has been a source of tension between India and Pakistan for decades, and the recent violence is likely to further strain relations between the two countries.
Background
Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a region of Kashmir that has been under Pakistani control since the first India-Pakistan war in 1947. The region is not recognized as Pakistani territory by India, which claims the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir as its own.
The people of PoK have long complained of discrimination and human rights abuses by the Pakistani government. In recent years, there have been growing calls for independence from Pakistan.
The Protests
The protests in PoK began on Friday, May 11, after the JKJAAC called for a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike in Muzaffarabad, the capital of PoK. The protests quickly spread to other parts of PoK, including Mirpur, Rawalakot, and Khuiratta.
The protesters are demanding an end to the heavy taxation, high inflation, and electricity shortages that have plagued the region for years. They are also calling for the release of political prisoners and an end to the human rights abuses that have been committed by the Pakistani government.
The Pakistani Government’s Response
The Pakistani government has responded to the protests with a heavy-handed crackdown. Police have fired tear gas, pellets, and bullets in an attempt to quell the demonstrations. Two protesters have been killed and several others have been arrested.
The Pakistani government has denied that its forces have used excessive force and has blamed the protesters for instigating the violence. However, videos have emerged that appear to show Pakistani police firing live ammunition into the crowd.
The International Community’s Response
The international community has condemned the Pakistani government’s crackdown on the protests in PoK. The United Nations has called for an independent investigation into the violence. The United States has also expressed concern about the violence and has called on the Pakistani government to respect the rights of the protesters.
The Future of PoK
The protests in PoK have highlighted the growing dissatisfaction among the people of the region with the Pakistani government. The Pakistani government’s heavy-handed crackdown on the protests is likely to further alienate the people of PoK and could lead to further instability in the region.
