PoK Rights Body Demands Probe After Students Flag Firing On Protesters, Use Of Excessive Force
News world PoK Rights Body Demands Probe After Students Flag Firing On Protesters, Use Of Excessive Force PoK Rights Body Demands Probe After Students Flag
News world PoK Rights Body Demands Probe After Students Flag Firing On Protesters, Use Of Excessive Force PoK Rights Body Demands Probe After Students Flag Firing On Protesters, Use Of Excessive Force Reported By, Last Updated: August 08, 2026, 14:54 IST The rights council has urged dialogue over force and called for unhindered access to food, healthcare and communications amid continuing unrest in PoK. Rapid Read Police officers detain a protester as she and others gather in support of the Joint Awami Action Committee in Lahore, Pakistan. (REUTERS) The Human Rights Council of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (HRC-AJK) has stepped in over allegations of human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling for an impartial investigation into the use of excessive force and demanding protection of civilian life amid continuing unrest in the region. The intervention came after students from Poonch approached the rights body with a detailed account of conditions in the region, alleging firing on protesters, disruption of healthcare services, prolonged internet restrictions and shortages of essential supplies. Responding to the students, the HRC-AJK called on all stakeholders to choose dialogue over force and said human rights concerns emerging from PoK would be raised at national and international forums.
What Poonch Students Told The Rights Council The HRC-AJK intervention followed a message from students in Poonch detailing the situation on the ground. The students said they had remained silent during the ongoing unrest but were compelled to speak after witnessing what they described as deteriorating conditions in Poonch and particularly Rawalakot. They alleged that healthcare services had been badly affected and claimed that the Combined Military Hospital in Rawalakot had been taken over by Rangers, while other hospitals and healthcare facilities were also inaccessible because of restrictions. According to the students, markets had remained closed, creating difficulties in accessing food and other basic necessities. They also flagged prolonged internet restrictions, saying communication links had been cut and people were struggling to contact relatives living outside the region. Students Allege Protesters Were Fired Upon The students also levelled serious allegations over the handling of a recent Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) rally in Rawalakot. They claimed that protesters were fired upon during the rally and alleged that direct firing, including by snipers, resulted in deaths.
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