What's behind deadly violence in PoK? Banned group, death of a trader, protests — All you need to know
Amid reports of violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India expressed concerns over loss of lives in the region, urging the global community to hold Pakistan accountable
Amid reports of violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, India expressed concerns over loss of lives in the region, urging the global community to hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses. At least 11 people, including four police officers, were killed in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir following violent clashes between protesters and security forces. Reacting to the incident, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have seen reports regarding the protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as well as other related issues." "In this context, we continue to observe a pattern of fake news and videos emanating from Pakistan. This appears to be a desperate attempt by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and deflect attention away from its human rights abuses," Jaiswal said in a press briefing on Tuesday. He said "several reports of police brutality in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir" indicate that "several people have been killed, while many others have been injured." "We hope that the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses," he added. What's happening in PoK? A protest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), triggered over regional grievances and a ban on an organisation, turned violent this week, killing several people and injuring scores.
As many as 11 people were killed in clashes between the police and protesters on Sunday, Al Jazeera reported. Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan was quoted as saying that at least seven civilians and four policemen were killed during Sunday's clash between police and JAAC protesters in PoK's Rawalakot. However, PoK activists involved in the movement alleged that security crackdowns over the past two days had resulted in more than 100 deaths and numerous injuries, PTI reported. The trigger for the protest was the banning of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a prominent civil rights and socio-political coalition. On Friday, June 6, the organisation was designated a proscribed organisation and banned under anti-terrorism legislation. The event coincided with the opening of nomination filings for legislative elections expected to be held on July 27. As authorities announced a general election to be held in July, the JAAC announced it would hold a protest on June 9 to press for its demands. However, the government banned the group and arrested several of its members. India lodged a strong protest with Pakistan over the recent elections, maintaining that PoK has been "illegally and forcibly" occupied by Pakistan. What triggered the protest?
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