2 weeks ago
PoK unrest deepens as thousands protest Pakistani forces
In a place called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, many people are very upset with the government.
They first started complaining because electricity and food became too expensive.
Then their protests grew bigger, and people began asking for more rights and a fair government that listens to them.
On Thursday, thousands of people gathered in several towns to show that they are united.
Women and children also joined the marches, waving flags and shouting for change.
The people say that Pakistani soldiers and police have hurt many of them, and they shared videos to show what happened.
A leader of the protest group says more than 50 people have died and hundreds have been hurt.
The internet was also turned off in the area.
The protesters want the violence to stop and their demands to be heard.
Thousands joined rallies in Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bokhara, and Mandhol on Thursday in support of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
Protesters accused Pakistani forces of brutal violence over the past months, with large numbers of women and children taking part.
The protests began over rising electricity and essential commodity prices and have grown into demands for political reforms, accountability, and representative government.
PoK is seeing its most extensive confrontation between the local population and the Pakistani state in decades, including internet suspension and alleged police brutality.
On August 1, JAAC member Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri said more than 50 people have been killed and hundreds injured during the crackdown.
- Who
- Thousands of residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including women and children, and the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
- What
- Protest rallies against violence by Pakistani forces, sparked by rising prices and demands for political reforms, accountability, and representative government.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bokhara, Mandhol, and the Poonch district.
- When
- Thursday; JAAC cited a death toll on August 1.
- Why
- Anger over rising electricity and commodity prices and alleged brutality by Pakistani forces, with calls for political reforms and representative government.
Key facts
- Main protest group
- Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)
- Protest locations
- Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Bokhara, Mandhol
- Initial cause
- Rising prices of electricity and essential commodities
- Current demands
- Political reforms, greater accountability, representative government
- Reported casualties
- More than 50 killed, hundreds injured (per JAAC's Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Aug 1)
- Other measures
- Internet suspension; allegations of police brutality
- Protest slogans
- "Inquilab Ayega" and unity chants across Mirpur, Kotli, Rawalakot, Bagh, Muzaffarabad
Quotes
JAAC
Representative of the Joint Awami Action Committee
“Large number of women and children have joined the ongoing protest in Rawalakot, standing alongside their families and communities to raise their voices for fundamental rights, justice and the implementation of public demands.”
thehansindia.com
“Once again, the people of Rawalakot took to the streets in support of the Action Committee and raised their voices against the forces' brutal violence.”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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