Muzaffarabad/New Delhi:
The unrest intensified in Rawalakot after the death of a trader who was allegedly shot during a confrontation with law enforcers on Friday night. Protesters gathered outside a hospital mortuary on Sunday, a day ahead of demonstrations planned by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
While local residents and JAAC supporters claimed that more than 30 people had been killed, official figures remained significantly lower. Rawalakot Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan told Reuters that six protesters were killed after security forces attempted to disperse the crowd. He alleged that some demonstrators used automatic rifles, petrol bombs and other weapons. Dawn separately reported the deaths of seven civilians in Sunday night’s clashes.
The JAAC, a prominent civil society alliance, was banned last week under anti-terrorism legislation. The group has opposed the reservation of 12 seats for refugees in the July 27 elections to the 45-member legislative body. It has also raised concerns over inflation, electricity shortages, unemployment, internet blackouts, alleged resource exploitation and political marginalisation.
A shutter-down strike continued in several areas, including Bhimbar and Kotli, amid reports of a communications blackout and fresh tear-gas shelling.
India strongly condemned what it described as “severe police brutality”. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the crackdown was a “desperate attempt” by Pakistan to deflect attention from its alleged human rights abuses. “We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its misdeeds and abuses,” he said.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan also expressed concern over the deaths of civilians and law enforcers, calling for de-escalation and an impartial investigation. More than 50 British MPs have written to UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper over reports of arrests, communications restrictions and escalating tensions in the region.