At Least Two Dead, Several Injured In PoK As Pakistan Clamps Down On Protesters
At Least Two Dead, Several Injured In PoK As Pakistan Clamps Down On Protesters
At least two people were killed and several were injured after Pakistan's security forces on Monday opened fire on residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's Muzaffarabad.
Protests have also been reported in Dadyal and other areas of the region which Pakistan has illegally occupied for decades.
A report by the Times of India, citing Pakistani broadcaster SamaaTV, said that one person died as Pakistani security forces violently clamped down on protesters.
A separate report by broadcaster NDTV said that two people were killed and 22 injured and that Pakistani forces and ISI-backed Muslim Conference embedded “thugs" within the forces and clamped down on protesters.
A report by ANI said that the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) is leading the ongoing demonstrations. The demonstrations against the Pakistani government intensified due to an internet shutdown imposed on the region.
Sources speaking to CNN-News18 said that the JKJAAC is protesting what it calls the decades-long denial of fundamental rights.
“Massive protests are going on in PoK's big and small towns. Thousands of locals are holding rallies for their rights and chanting slogans," said sources.
“There is a complete communication blackout. The Pakistan administration has shut down the cellular and internet services in PoK. All WiFi and 2-G communication is blocked," the aforementioned people said.
They also said that several arrests were made overnight, with “key active members of the JKJACC picked up in the valley".
Swipe Left For Next Video
They added that Pakistan has moved in nearly 2,000 additional personnel from the Punjab Police, Rangers and Frontier Constabulary to suppress the demonstrations. Paramilitary forces have now been stationed across all district headquarters in PoK, while main roads to the region have been sealed off with checkpoints and snap inspections.
The JKJAAC has laid a 38-point charter of demands, which includes removal of perks of the ruling elites, ending 12 seats in the Assembly reserved for Kashmiri migrants who came from the Indian side of the territory, and royalty for hydel power projects in the region.
Source: News18
Related Posts: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir protests, Muzaffarabad firing, Pakistan security forces violence, Dadyal protests, Kashmir unrest, ISI-backed crackdown, Muslim Conference thugs
