HT Digital,
New Delhi, May 9: Tensions rose in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) following a clash between police and demonstrators from the Dadyal area, resulting in several injuries. The clash occurred during a gathering to address the issues of increasing inflation and power outages, subsequent to a protest on May 11.
In response, authorities enforced Section 144 in the region. Protesters, however, announced a rescheduled demonstration for Friday and reportedly assaulted a police constable.
Warnings were previously issued to Pakistani authorities against using violence. Shaukat Navaz Mir, local leader and chairman of the PoJK traders’ association, announced a general strike across PoJK, condemning the security forces’ violent actions. Political activist Amjad Ayub Mirza condemned the incident, emphasising the unacceptable violence against peaceful protesters in PoK.
He mourned the death of a schoolgirl in Dadyal and claimed that the state’s response aimed to suppress dissent before the planned May 11 long march and sit-in outside the legislative assembly in Muzaffarabad.
PoJK residents have consistently vowed to resist oppression, as shown by their previous oaths on the Quran. The upcoming protest on May 10 signifies another instance of PoK residents demanding their fundamental rights, accusing the Pakistani government of exploitation and disregard for their region’s problems.
