View: Violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir is a red flag for Islamabad | World News

New Delhi: The contrast could not be more stark. Jammu and Kashmir’s Srinagar recorded the highest turnout of 37.98 votes since 1996 in the 2024 parliamentary elections, but Kashmiris in occupied Kashmir have been facing stepmotherly treatment by Islamabad since May 9. They were armed against it. The protests were triggered by attacks and arrests of residents. Activists of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) held a rally on May 8-9.

Violent protests ceased after Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a 23 billion Pakistani rupee aid package on Monday, but economic disparity in the Srinagar valley and exploitation in occupied Kashmir have been halted. The fires are a red flag for Islamabad, despite the widening disparity among its citizens. Day.

Although Pakistani and Western media tried to downplay the violence in PoK, protests took place in Samakhumi, Sehansa, Mirpur, Dadiyar, Rawalkot, Kairatta, Tattapani and Hattian Bara. At least 70 JAAC activists have been arrested and clashes have broken out between police and protesters, resulting in at least one police officer and three civilians being killed and at least 100 seriously injured. I know that. JAAC is a socio-political group of traders, transporters and lawyers who have been at the forefront of protests in occupied Kashmir over rising prices of food (wheat), fuel and electricity. JAAC called for a “long march” to Muzaffarabad on May 11, but Islamabad attacked and arrested activists on May 8 and 9. During violent protests, three Pakistan Rangers vehicles were set on fire by demonstrators chanting anti-Pakistan and pro-independence slogans. The internet was shut down last week, as were schools and trade institutions.

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Pakistan has accused India of human rights abuses in J&K for the past three decades, but this time it came under pressure after paramilitary groups used excessive force to quell protests. The protests were so violent that Prime Minister Sharif had to call for peace with the protesters and eventually give in to their demands for subsidized electricity and fuel. Apart from local police, Islamabad has also dispatched three battalions of Pakistani Rangers from Kohala in addition to the army.

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Pakistani police have blamed India for inciting the protests, but protests have been simmering in the occupied Kashmir region of Rawakut since May 2023, with activists attacking the state and federal governments. They are standing up with weapons. The government rebels over the soaring prices of electricity and flour. This was followed by boycotts and non-payment of electricity bills. The electricity bill in PoK is five times the cost of production, and there is strong resentment among local residents about this. Protesters are demanding:

・Wheat subsidies similar to those in Gilgit-Baltistan;

· Electricity tariff should be based on production cost from Manla Dam hydropower project.

· Unnecessary perks and privileges of the ruling class (read Punjabi) and officials should be completely eliminated.

・Restrictions on the student government association will be lifted and elections will be held.

– “Jammu and Kashmir Bank” in occupied Kashmir will become a regular bank.

· Local government representatives should be funded and empowered.

・Charges for mobile phone companies and internet services are unified.

· Real estate transfer tax will be reduced.

· The Office of Accountability should be activated and relevant laws should be amended.

・Laws will be enacted to restrict the felling of trees in order to revitalize local industry.

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It is understood that the provincial government agreed to these demands in February 2024 after the February 5 call strike was held in September 2023, but ironically this day was also called by propagandists in Islamabad. It is celebrated as Kashmir Solidarity Day.