Tensions have escalated sharply in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after violent confrontations between protesters and security personnel left more than 30 people dead and nearly 200 injured, according to local reports and activist groups. The clashes followed the government's decision to ban the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a prominent civil society alliance that has emerged as a key voice against economic and political grievances in the region.
The unrest was centred in Rawalakot, where anger intensified after the death of a local trader who was allegedly shot during a confrontation with law enforcement officials. His death triggered large gatherings of JAAC supporters and residents, setting the stage for one of the deadliest episodes of unrest in the region in recent years.
Protest movement gathers momentum after JAAC ban
According to NDTV, authorities formally outlawed the JAAC last week, citing concerns related to public order and security. The organisation has led a series of demonstrations in recent years over rising inflation, unemployment, electricity shortages and what it describes as the political marginalisation of residents in the region.
The latest protest was also linked to opposition against the reservation of 12 seats for refugees in the upcoming July 27 legislative elections, with activists arguing that the move undermines local representation.
Officials claim that demonstrators turned violent during the gathering, allegedly using firearms, petrol bombs and other weapons against security personnel. Authorities responded with force, leading to casualties and multiple arrests.
However, JAAC supporters and residents dispute the official version of events, insisting that security forces used excessive force against protesters and that the civilian death toll is significantly higher than acknowledged by authorities.
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Human rights concerns grow over crackdown
According to NDTV, the ban on the JAAC and the subsequent violence have drawn criticism from rights groups. The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan expressed serious concern over the use of anti-terrorism laws to proscribe the organisation and condemned the deaths of both civilians and security personnel.
The commission also criticised communication blackouts imposed during the unrest, arguing that restrictions on information flow further aggravate tensions and hinder accountability.
In a statement, the HRCP stressed that meaningful dialogue cannot take place without addressing what it described as the political disenfranchisement of people living in the region. The organisation called for the protection of peaceful protest rights and urged authorities to engage in transparent discussions with stakeholders.
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Election tensions add to regional instability
According to NDTV, the violence comes at a sensitive political moment as preparations continue for elections to the region's legislative assembly. The controversy over reserved seats has become a major flashpoint, adding to longstanding frustrations surrounding governance, resource allocation and economic conditions.
JAAC leaders have rejected their designation as a terrorist organisation, describing the move as an attempt to suppress legitimate political and economic demands. The group maintains that its campaign focuses on democratic rights and public welfare.
With tensions remaining high and a fact-finding mission planned by the HRCP, concerns are growing that further confrontations could deepen instability in the region ahead of the July elections.
