Rawalakot (PoJK), Dec 5 (NVI) Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) today saw a total shutdown and mass protests amidst resonating demands of ‘azadi’ in protest against a newly-imposed law by Pakistan.
Thousands of people took to the streets in acute cold weather to register their opposition and resistance to the new law which prohibits gathering of people and holding of protests.
As a mark of protest, black flags were hoisted atop rooftops of houses and shops in Rawalakot and other major towns of PoJK.
Shopkeepers of Rawalakot have also painted shutters of their shops in black as a mark of protest.
The protest was organised by the J&K Joint Awami Action Committee, a conglomeration of social, political, religious, trade, student and labour organizations of PoJK.
At the end of the day-long ‘hartal’, the Committee issued an ultimatum to the Pakistani regime to withdraw the ‘black law’ by tomorrow noon, failing which a long-term agitation would be launched.
It said the new agitation may include a long march to Islamabad.
The Committee also demanded immediate release of the leaders and others who have been arrested for protesting against the new law over the past few weeks.
The Committee has vowed to resist the illegal occupation of Pakistan tooth and nail in the wake of the new law which has been promulgated by the President of Pakistan, ironically despite the country describing the illegally-held territories of J&K as ‘Azad Kashmir’.
The Ordinance effectively curtails civilian liberties of the people of PoJK as it prohibits gathering for protests and freedom of speech. (NVI)
