The Joint People’s Action Committee, representing POJK, has issued a Charter of Demands, calling for free electricity, subsidies on flour, the elimination of taxes, and an end to privileges for the rulers. Earlier, a declaration meeting was held at an undisclosed location within the borders of POJK by the Joint People’s Action Committee. It lasted for about ten hours and was attended by members of the core committee from all districts.
The ongoing peaceful movement, which has been going on for the past several months, strongly condemned the government for violence, arrests and crackdown on peaceful sit-ins, raids on houses and violating the sanctity of four walls.
For the past month, the region has witnessed protests, including demands for affordable electricity and relief from load shedding, which have kept the police and occupying administration occupied. Accordingly, the intensity of the protests has been increasing day by day.
Furthermore, in Neelum district, there was a complete wheel-jam strike and shutdown on Monday, affecting daily life in the valley. Markets are closed, public transport is disrupted, and attendance in schools and educational institutions is extremely low. Earlier, a complete strike and protests were observed throughout the state.
Notably, the Punjab Constabulary was deployed for a similar attempt to suppress a movement in 1951. While such actions were possible in 1951, it’s now 2023. If the occupying government attempts a similar crackdown, it could have serious consequences. On the other hand, the local population seems prepared for a decisive struggle. The days ahead appear to be fraught with danger.
Plan of Action
Against Pak-sponsored terrorism and to achieve the demands, the JPAC has made the following announcements:
- Statewide wheel-jam strike, shutdown, and protest rallies at the district level have been announced for 5 October.
- Women and children will participate in protest rallies across the state on 10 October to advance the ongoing movement.
- On 17 October, peaceful protest rallies by students will be organized under the umbrella of various student organizations.
- On 28 October, protest demonstrations will be held throughout the state.
- To achieve the demands, the Charter of Demands will be sent in writing to various individuals and organizations, including the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Amnesty International, the OIC, as well as the President of Pakistan, the Prime Minister of Pakistan, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief Justice of Pakistan, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the heads of all political parties in Pakistan, the Vice-Chairman of the Pakistan Bar Council, the President of POJK, the Prime Minister of POJK, members of the POJK Assembly, the Chief Minister of POGB, members of the POGB Assembly, and all political parties of POGB.
- The ongoing peaceful public movement camps in POJK is said to continue.
- To press for demands, the boycott of electricity bills will continue for an indefinite period, and black flags will be displayed on homes, streets, markets, vehicles, etc.
- In POJK, the arrival of FC, FC, or other paramilitary forces from occupying Pakistan is seen as an external attack on the state to suppress the peaceful movement of the oppressed people of the Pak-occupied region. An appeal has been made to the public to resist this with full force.
- In response to the occupying government’s disconnection of electricity connections, a ‘remove the meter’ campaign will be launched.
- Those facilitating the occupying government in the ongoing movement will be considered enemies of the movement and the public.
- The Central People’s Committee will be referred to as the ‘Jammu and Kashmir Joint People’s Action Committee.’
- Lastly, if baseless cases, unlawful arrests, crackdowns on peaceful sit-ins, raids, and desecration of sacred places are not stopped, the movement will expand across the state, leading to a state-wide jail bharo movement.