Rawalakot [PoJK], July 27 (NVI): Pakistani forces caused bloodshed again in occupied Jammu and Kashmir today as they killed and injured countless people participating in protests against the farcical elections which were boycotted completely by the locals.
As locals took out rallies and staged demonstrations against the elections for the so-called Assembly of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, they were treated with bullets, teargas and batons at several places.
Rawalakot, which has been the epicenter of the agitation going on since last 7 weeks because of a massacre committed by the Pakistani forces on June 5, again suffered the extreme barbarity at the hands of the occupying military.
The Pakistani forces resorted to firing and teargas shelling at a number of places, leaving several people dead or injured.
The actual number of the dead and injured was not known as the Pakistani forces seized control of the hospitals where the wounded and killed people were taken.
The fresh brutalities by the Pakistani forces came on a day of elections which were totally boycotted by the locals.
A march to Muzaffarabad, the capital of POJK, is planned for tomorrow which is expected to be participated by lakhs of people under the banner of Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a conglomerate of several non-political local organisations.
The situation in Rawalakot was reported to be dire as the number of casualties caused by the Pakistani forces were overwhelming.
“Friends, the situation has become dire. Rawalakot is filled with dead bodies and the wounded… We are peaceful people. Countless dead bodies, countless wounded. Our shoulders are exhausted from carrying the bodies,” said POJK-based social media influencer Aqeel Bhai in a video message.
“For God’s sake, stand with us right now; please, stand with us. I have just barely escaped with my life. I no longer care about my own survival. After seeing so many brothers martyred. I have come here to plead with you with folded hands. Please have some conscience; to all the international media watching–please support us,” he said.
He further described what he said was one of the most distressing moments he witnessed during the violence.
“A brother came and wrung out his handkerchief, and what dripped from it was the blood of Kashmiris, brother! It was the blood of Kashmiris! That is the situation here. I have come here after witnessing people dying–being martyred–right before my eyes. The situation has become terrible; it has become truly dire,” he said.
Calling for international attention, Aqeel Bhai urged global media organisations and human rights groups to intervene, claiming that local resources were struggling to cope with the number of casualties.
“Tag the international media and the whole world–get this message out! We are running short of ambulances and vehicles here. People are trying to move their wounded on their own–grabbing them from all sides–and the roads are awash with blood!” he said.
He also accused the authorities of using force against protesters and criticised the continued crackdown on the movement.
“These oppressors have killed us today using our own tax money. It’s not just today; they have been doing this for a long time… They have been killing us continuously since June 5th. Have some shame! Have some shame! Have some shame–you shameless people, have some shame! What have we ever taken from you? If anything, you have taken from us–you have consumed the fruits of our hard-earned labour,” he added.
Another protester claimed that at least 15 to 20 people had sustained gunshot injuries during the incident.
“Over 15-20 people have been injured. 15 to 20 people have been shot,” the demonstrator said.
In another video shared, Aqeel Bhai again appealed to international media and human rights organisations, saying the violence had left several protesters dead or injured.
“They have martyred countless brothers of ours; they have wounded them… There is nothing but blood on this road, right here! They are shooting our brothers! What kind of spectacle is this? You live off our money! You are using our tax money to buy the very bullets you are using to kill us, you tyrants!” he said.
He urged international organisations to intervene immediately.
“International media! Brothers, the whole world! Human rights organisations! Where have you all vanished to? Where are you? Where are you? Come here! Come here! There is still time–come here! Come here! Come here–these tyrants are killing us! These tyrants are killing us!” he said.
The developments coincided with the first phase of polling across 13 constituencies in the Mirpur Division of PoJK, which were boycotted.
Adding to the uncertainty surrounding the electoral process, the Legislative Assembly elections in the two districts of Sudhnoti and Rawalakot have been postponed until August 10 owing to the ongoing protest movement. (NVI)
