Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is currently witnessing intensified protests that have turned violent, resulting in the tragic death of an assistant sub-inspector and injuries to several protesters and police officers. The protests, spearheaded by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), are a direct response to the recent spike in electricity bills and imposition of new taxes that have sparked widespread public outrage.
The unrest continued for a second consecutive day on Saturday, with major commercial and educational establishments such as markets, trade centers, offices, schools, and restaurants remaining shut following the AAC’s call for a shutterdown and wheel-jam strike across the state. The shutdown is a demonstration of the people’s dissent against the government’s decision to raise electricity prices and taxes, which has significantly impacted the daily lives of the citizens.
A heavy police force was deployed
along the routes leading to the Madina Market in Muzaffarabad, where the AAC had scheduled a reception for the long march participants. Despite the heavy security presence, protestors from various regions, including Bhimbar, Mirpur, and Kotli, continued their march towards Muzaffarabad.
The violence escalated near Mirpur’s Islam Garh
when protestors reportedly opened fire on the police, who were attempting to block their advance. The confrontation led to the unfortunate demise of ASI Adnan Qureshi due to a gunshot wound to the chest, with three protesters also sustaining severe injuries.
Simultaneously, other areas witnessed tensions as police and demonstrators clashed. Teargas shelling by the police and stone-pelting by protestors in Kotli led to multiple injuries on both sides and significant property damage was reported, including the vandalization of a magistrate’s vehicle.
Prior clashes were also noted at Shah Sultan Bridge, Tanga Stand, and Aziz Chowk in Muzaffarabad, signaling a widespread pattern of unrest throughout the region.
Following the violent incidents, police commenced a crackdown, detaining dozens of individuals in the AJK capital, attempting to quell the demonstrations.
The previous day, over 40 people, including 11 police officers,
were reported injured due to the clashes. To manage the situation, the AJK government had prohibited public gatherings, rallies, and processions across all districts, imposing Section 144 to maintain law and order.
This surge of civil unrest in AJK has raised concerns about the government’s approach to addressing the grievances of its citizens. The increased costs of living, coupled with stringent measures against public assembly, have only fueled the discontent among the people, leading to a volatile situation that demands immediate attention and resolution.
Authorities are urged to engage in constructive dialogue
with the protesters to find a peaceful solution to the issues at hand. The loss of life and the cycle of violence only serve to deepen the divide, highlighting the need for empathy, understanding, and swift action to restore peace and stability in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
The situation in AJK remains tense, and further developments are closely monitored by national and international observers. The calls for an affordable cost of living resonate with many, and how the situation unfolds will likely have lasting implications for the region’s socio-political landscape.