Muzaffarabad (POJK), Aug 30 (NVI) Parts of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) are witnessing a major upheaval in the form of massive demonstrations, shutdowns and clashes between ‘Azadi’-chanting protesters and the security forces.
The authorities have arrested several protesters, including students on a hunger strike, after cracking down on them in Rawalakot district.
Rawalakot yesterday witnessed massive protests, with the demonstrators chanting slogans like ‘Hukmrano Yeh Suno, Hum Tumhaari Maut Hai (Authorities listen, we are your death)”.
The protests, led by organisations like JKLF and Awami Joint Action Committee (AJAC), continued through the day, with the demands that around 40 students arrested on August 13 be released forthwith.
However, the authorities did not release the students yesterday, as a result of which protest demonstrations were held even at night.
Addressing a protest demonstration, JKLF Chairman Sardar Sagheer Khan lashed out at the authorities for arresting the students on August 13 and booking them under charges of treason.
He said the arrested students have been subjected to torture by the police and intelligence personnel.
The current episode of unrest started on August 13 in Rawalakot after youth chanted pro-Kashmir and anti-Pakistan slogans during a football match organised in connection with Pakistan’s Independence Day celebrations.
Police used force, including tear gas shelling and firing, against them and arrested at least 40 of the students.
The brutal action by the police force provoked protests, hunger strikes, and ultimatums by pro-independence groups and students demanding release of the detainees.
The various pro-Kashmir groups demanded that all the detainees be released by August 29 midnight, i.e., last night.
But, instead of releasing the detainees, the police launched a fresh crackdown on August 28 and made further arrests, including of those on hunger strike, which led to escalation of tensions.
A complete shutdown was observed yesterday which was marked by large demonstrations and incidents of stone-pelting, damaging of vehicles and road blockades by the protesters who chanted anti-Pakistan slogans.
The police again used force, which was condemned by the organisations like JKLF, JKAAC and UKPNP with the demands for early release of detained students. In this regard, UKPNP held protests in North America.
The detained students were today released on 90-day bail. However, leaders want their unconditional release & threatened to continue protests. (NVI)
