3 weeks ago
MEA Slams Pakistan Over Crackdown on PoK Protesters
Some people who live in a place called Pakistan-occupied Kashmir are not happy with the government there.
They have been holding big protests for several months, even around election time.
The leaders sent soldiers and police, and many people got hurt.
A spokesperson for India's foreign ministry says more than 90 people have died.
He says the protesters were met with bullets, blackouts and repression instead of being heard.
India is asking other countries to speak up and hold Pakistan responsible.
The protesters want peacekeeping soldiers from the United Nations to come instead of Pakistani forces.
Pakistan sent a commander from a group called Jaish-e-Mohammad to talk to the protesters, but the talks did not work.
The protesters say they will make a major announcement on August 13.
India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned Pakistan's crackdown on protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling it a gross violation of human rights.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal urged the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for what he called 'misdeeds, abuses and gross violations of human rights.'
More than 90 people, including protesters, security personnel and bystanders, were killed in clashes during June and July, according to the MEA.
Pakistan sent Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) senior commander Masood Ilyas Kashmiri to persuade Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) members to end their agitation; the so-called 'peace talk' reportedly failed.
PoK protesters announced a major statement for August 13 and called for United Nations Peacekeeping Forces to replace Pakistani forces in the region.
- Who
- India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), through spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal; Pakistani authorities; and protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
- What
- India condemned Pakistan's crackdown on PoK protesters as a gross human rights violation and called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable.
- Where
- Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK); the statement was delivered at a media briefing in New Delhi.
- When
- The MEA statement was made on Tuesday; protests have continued over several months, with deadly clashes during June and July; protesters plan an announcement on August 13.
- Why
- Because more than 90 people were killed in clashes and public discontent was reportedly met with force, which India described as repression and oppression.
Key facts
- Complaining government
- India (Ministry of External Affairs)
- MEA spokesperson
- Randhir Jaiswal
- Deaths in June-July clashes
- More than 90, including protesters, security personnel and bystanders
- Protest group
- Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC)
- Pakistan's envoy
- Masood Ilyas Kashmiri, senior commander of Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM)
- Protesters' demand
- United Nations Peacekeeping Forces to replace Pakistani forces
- Planned announcement
- August 13
Quotes
Mr Randhir Jaiswal
MEA spokesperson for India
“"We call upon the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds, abuses and gross violations of human rights."”
deccanchronicle.com
“"Public discontent was answered with bullets, blackouts, repression and oppression."”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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