In Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK), people are experiencing one of their worst upheavals in recent times. Protesters were fired upon by Pakistani security forces, killing at least 12 civilians.
The demonstrations, which began because the government had not complied with important demands, have grown into a larger movement against the military's abuses in the area.
Pakistani security forces used tear gas and opened fire to scatter crowds during the unrest. The protest is now on its third day. Reports state that two protesters were shot dead in Dadyal, five in Dheerkot, and five in Muzaffarabad. Additionally, at least three police officers have lost their lives. More than 200 people have also been hurt, the majority from gunshot wounds, many of them critically.
ANI shares update on X, “Pakistani Rangers opened fire on peaceful protesters in Muzaffarabad and other parts of PoJK who were demanding the Self-Rule Charter of Demands. Sources report over half a dozen casualties and several serious injuries in the past three days.”
Demands of the protest
Residents of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) complain that they are being deprived of their fundamental rights day by day. They are protesting under the leadership of the Awami Action Committee. They marched and demonstrated in different cities. In the meantime, a call for 'shutter down' and 'chakka jam' was called in PoK on Monday. That is the call of the Sharif-Sarkar. Soon after, the Pakistani army started firing on the residents of POK.
Residents of POK claim that normal life has been repeatedly disrupted due to regular unrest. The government does not give minimum rights to the people here. Local PoK leaders claim that the Pakistani government and military regularly intervene in every aspect of their affairs.
The Awami Action Committee said that the Pakistani army was trying to strangle the people of Kashmir by firing on them. Sharif's army will have to pay the price, they warned.
