Muzaffarabad (PoJK): Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) is witnessing increased articulation of resentment by the locals against the Pakistani rule and subjugation and the chorus for freedom is getting amplified.
The locals, who are Muslims, have been hitting streets in towns and villages across PoJK to protest against the Pakistani occupation which began in 1947.
Notwithstanding the brutal force used by the police, including firing at agitators, protest marches and demonstrations have been witnessed across PoJK, including the capital Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Neelum Valley and Kotli.
The participants chant slogans demanding ‘azadi’ from Pakistan and slamming the Pakistan Army.
‘Hum kya chahte, Azaadi’ (What do we want? Freedom), ‘Le ke Rahenge Azadi’ (We will somehow snatch freedom) are the common slogans heard at these protest rallies.
The Pakistan Army attracted further anger yesterday when one of its trucks crushed a boy riding a bike in Haveli area of PoJK.
The locals immediately gathered to target the occupants of the military truck but they managed to slip away.
The locals held protests today against the brutal incident, with the participants shouting slogans like ‘Qaatil Qaatil, Fouj Qaatil’ (Army is murderer).
The anger against 75-year-old subjugation and brutalities has been brewing over the last few months and it peaked on August 14, the Foundation Day of Pakistan, which was observed as ‘Black Day’ by the people of PoJK.
The pretext for the increasing protests is the 15th Amendment brought by the PoJK government recently, providing for creation of a separate body for holding elections in the occupied region.
However, observers note that the issue is just being used as a ruse by the locals who are fed up with the brutalities and oppression carried out by Pakistan and its security agencies since 1947.
The significant part of these protests is that it is receiving participation of cadres from across the political, social and students organisations.
Two days back, the locals confronted the Pakistani military with slogans like ‘Foreign forces, go back’.
It may be recalled that PoJK, a part of erstwhile princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, was occupied by Pakistan militarily after it invaded the region on October 22, 1947.
The state was then under the rule of Maharaja Hari Singh, who had till then not decided whether to merge with India or Pakistan or stay independent, as per the choices given.
After Pakistan launched the invasion, Hari Singh sent an SOS to then Indian Prime Minister Jawahar Lal Nehru and expressed readiness to sign the Treaty of Accession.
Only after that Indian troops landed in Srinagar and started pushing the Pakistani invaders out of Jammu and Kashmir.
By then, Pakistani invaders had occupied a large part of the state.
In the war that ensued, Indian troops manage to clear substantial part of Jammu and Kashmir of the Pakistani invaders.
However, even while the Indian troops were in the process of pushing out Pakistanis from entire Jammu and Kashmir, the UN Security Council declared a ceasefire to end the war.
As a result, the state was divided and Pakistan continues to illegally occupy territories of Jammu and Kashmir.
About a month back, locals vent their anger at senior government officials, and openly said that Pakistan is an illegal occupant of PoJK since there is no valid document to justify its presence in the region.
In a video that went viral, the local was seen drawing a comparison, saying India is legally present in Jammu and Kashmir owing to the Instrument of Accession signed in 1947 between the ruler of the then Princely state and Government of India.
He even cited the UN Security Council Resolution.
Amidst cheering by others in the crowd, the local was seen as saying that Pakistan has been looting PoJK and its resources.
He gave the example of hydro power, saying it was being stolen by Pakistan from PoJK.
“Hamara gazib Pakistan, Hamara lootera Pakistan. Hamara gazib India nahi hai, Hamara gazib Pakistan hai (Our oppressor is Pakistan. Our looter is Pakistan. Our oppressor is not India),” he was heard saying as leader of the crowd.
Rubbishing Pakistan’s oft-repeated claim of religious brotherhood with the people of PoJK, the local Muslim man was heard saying in the video, “What kind of brotherhood is this? (It amounts to saying) I will capture your house forcibly and say that I am your brother (and hence have the right).
“Now, we have reached a situation of do or die… We are left with no option but to take up the arms,” he declares openly and all others in the gathering cheer lavishly.
