People’s discontent with the skyrocketing costs of energy and wheat flour has led to protests and roadblocks in POK, where the Pakistani government and demonstrators have been engaged in violent altercations for the past few days. During one of these altercations, a policeman tragically died. Even in Britain, the fallout from these conflicts is being felt.
Residents of POK are grappling with the steep rise in prices of essential commodities like wheat flour and electricity, prompting widespread protests against inflation. Under the leadership of the Awami Action Committee, demonstrators clashed with security forces in Muzaffarabad, demanding free electricity and wheat flour subsidies.
#WATCH | Major unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's (PoK) Muzaffarabad due to clashes between protestors and authorities.
This comes amid a wheel-jam strike that is continuing for the fourth consecutive day in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).
The Awami Action Committee called… pic.twitter.com/sEvFQvbmPv
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2024
Protesters have blocked local highways, and a policeman was killed in a confrontation, according to an article in the Dawn newspaper. Sub-Inspector Adnan Qureshi passed away in Islamgarh city after suffering a gunshot wound, according to Kamran Ali, the senior superintendent of police (SSP) for Mirpur.
The violent conflicts in POK have additionally had an impact on Britain, since many people in London have expressed their disapproval of the Pakistani government.
#WATCH | United Kingdom: Several party leaders and people hold a massive anti-protest in London in solidarity with the major unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir's (PoK) Muzaffarabad due to clashes between protestors and authorities. pic.twitter.com/KCvgezI2lj
— ANI (@ANI) May 14, 2024
Moreover, a significant number of JAAC (Jammu and Kashmir Awami Action Committee) workers were apprehended. Earlier, police detained 70 JAAC activists during raids in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur divisions, leading to intense clashes in Dadiyal. Protests persist in Dadiyal, demanding fundamental amenities. The committee had declared a shutdown and strike on Friday, ahead of its planned march towards Muzaffarabad.
In response to the ongoing protests against the Pakistan government, India issued a statement asserting that the situation in POK would soon be resolved. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s stance on the integration of the illegally occupied territory, expressing confidence that one day, POK would reunite with India, putting an end to its unlawful occupation.