Insurgency in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir | Explained

Story so far: Pakistan-occupied Kashmir has been rocked by deadly violence in recent days, with at least four people killed and more than 100 injured in clashes over soaring prices for essential goods such as flour, fuel and electricity.

The latest wave of unrest follows the overnight arrest of several Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leaders who were planning a “long march” to Muzaffarabad on May 11. , which began on May 10th. The crackdown sparked widespread outrage, with thousands of people taking part. They took to the streets and clashed with police. The clashes left one police officer dead and several others injured, prompting police to resort to firing tear gas.

Also read: PoK is part of India and we will take it back, says Amit Shah

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on May 13 approved the granting of an $86.25 million grant program amid heightened tensions due to strikes that have paralyzed all walks of life in the region. While this decision reduced the price of flour and wheat flour, JAAC reported that on May 14, a convoy of paramilitary Rangers called to maintain law and order was attacked by a “surprise attack” as troops were withdrawing from the area. After being attacked by “protesters,” renewed violence ensued as they determined their next course of action.

Also read:With 25% inflation, Pakistan has the highest cost of living in Asia: ADB

growing dissatisfaction

Activists and politicians in PoK have long accused Islamabad of “serious discrimination”, including sharp cuts in budgetary subsidies, the imposition of “unfair” taxes on electricity bills, rising inflation, wheat shortages and load shedding. , and have protested that local residents’ jobs are not taken into account.

In a Senate meeting last year, PoK’s ‘Prime Minister’ Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said, ‘PoK produces around 2,600 MW of hydropower and needed only 350 MW, but the state government They were also not given their fair share of the net Hydel profits.” It is neither based on Article 157 nor on the National Finance Commission (NFC) which gives it a share of about 3.64% in federal funds. ”

local paper dawn Mr. Haq further said that the finance ministry has deducted PKR 61 billion from the exchequer on account of electricity bill while not taking responsibility for PKR 400 billion owed to the region as water charges for Mangla Dam and hydel profits for the Neelum River. We reported Mr. Haku’s concerns about this. Jeram project. He also accused the government of not heeding his request for pay increases for civil servants, as well as federal and state employees.

Earlier this month, activist Shabir Chaudhry also highlighted simmering discontent in PoK, claiming that the situation is worsening as locals are dissatisfied with Islamabad’s “false promises.”

What sparked the conflict in PoK?

The latest wave of violence can be traced back to last year’s massive protests and civil disobedience movements that erupted across Pakistan against soaring wheat prices and electricity bills.

At the forefront of the 2023 protests was JAAC, a committee made up of traders, labor leaders and civil society members. The association’s main demands include subsidized flour, fair electricity pricing based on hydropower costs, and an end to elite privileges. According to the report, dawn, the panel reached an agreement in December last year with the Official Settlement Committee of Ministers regarding the electricity bill claims. An official notification was issued in February. However, the commission announced protests across the state in April, asking people to take a “long march” to Muzaffarabad to protest the “non-fulfillment” of promises made by the official commission.

A day before the planned protest march, around 70 members of JAAC were reportedly arrested by police in overnight raids in Muzaffarabad and Mirpur areas. To protest the police crackdown, the association announced a “shutter down and wheel jam” strike across the region.

Meanwhile, clashes broke out in parts of PoK, with police resorting to shelling with tear gas as protesters hurled stones at Dadiyar tehsil in Mirpur.according to dawn According to reports, tear gas shells landed at a nearby school, injuring several children. Alliance leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir released a video message postponing protests against police’s “brutal attitude” against peaceful demonstrators to May 10.

Violence quickly spread to other areas as protesters clashed with police and rangers were called in to maintain law and order. Article 144 was imposed in the region, with authorities banning gatherings and processions in all districts. Businesses, markets, banks, and educational institutions remained closed, and mobile phone and internet services were suspended in some areas.news agency P.T.I. Police reported that they had blocked the main road leading to Muzaffarabad to prevent people from heading into the city.

Meanwhile, there are reports of more arrests as violence spreads across the region. Mirpur Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kamran Ali, whose sub-inspector died after being shot in the chest in Islamgarh, said that other police forces were on duty to stop a rally from going to Muzaffarabad via Kotli and Poonch districts. He said he was dispatched with government officials. dawn. Clashes continued and another 100 people were injured, local media reported on May 12.

JAAC spokesperson Hafeez Hamdani insisted the alliance had nothing to do with violence. “It appears that such elements were deliberately planted among the protesters in order to bring bad name to a struggle aimed solely at the legitimate rights of the people,” he added.

How did the government respond?

PoK Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan said the government accepted all the demands of the action committee and subsequently signed the agreement, but the committee deviated from the agreement and announced a protest based on new demands. Ta. He added that the administration is exercising “utmost restraint” and is open to talks.

The situation has spiraled out of control and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called the situation “deeply concerning.” Mr Sharif instructed PoK ‘Prime Minister’ Chaudhry Anwarul Haq to speak to the leaders of the action committee and said they must “never allow the law to be taken into their own hands”. I warned you.

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari also urged stakeholders to exercise restraint and resolve issues through dialogue and mutual consultation.

On May 13, Pakistan’s Prime Minister approved the granting of a $86.25 million grant program for immediate relief to PoK. “Consumers will be charged PKR 3 per unit for usage up to 100 units, PKR 5 per unit for usage beyond 100 units up to 300 units, and PKR 6 per unit for usage above 300 units. However, the price of flour per 40 kg bag is fixed at Rs 2,000 in Pakistan. [down from Pakistani Rs 3,100]” Haq told the media, calling the package a “gift” from the government.

according to dawn The report, notification announced the following tariffs approved for domestic and commercial users:

• 1 to 100 units Rs 3 per kilowatt hour (kWh) for domestic users in Pakistan

• 100-300 units: Pakistan Rs 5/kWh for domestic users

• 1-300 units: Pakistan Rs 10/kWh for commercial users

• 300+ units: Pakistan Rs 6/kWh for domestic users, Pakistan Rs 15/kWh for commercial users

However, rallies and protests against the use of force to suppress the demonstrations continued in the area. JAAC leadership also said it would “legally investigate” the notification to see if it was as requested.

Meanwhile, shortly after the announcement, a Rangers convoy was attacked while traveling out of the area. When the Rangers arrived in Muzaffarabad amid a “tense atmosphere”, their convoy was pelted with stones and security forces retaliated with tear gas shelling and firing. ofdawn report. Part of the vehicle was set on fire. According to newspaper reports, the shelling was so intense that the entire neighborhood was shaken by it. Three people were killed and six others injured in the firing, Muzaffarabad District Commissioner Sardar Adnan Khurshid later said. “There is tension and anger in the air,” said Muzaffarabad resident Adil Hameed. ofdawn.

JAAC leader Mr Mir on Tuesday called the incident “state terrorism”, demanded punishment for those behind the attack and called for a judicial inquiry into police actions. Meanwhile, he announced the alliance’s decision to call off the protests, but vowed to continue fighting for PoK’s rights and resources, media reported.