Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) witnessed a tumultuous turn of events on May 11 as tensions between the Pak FC forces and protestors reached a boiling point.

The FC forces initiated a crackdown on protestors, resorting to tactics such as gunfire, tear gas shelling, and stone pelting, leaving dozens injured.

According to reports, in Mirpur, FC personnel disguised in civilian attire aggravated the situation, inciting the mob towards violent actions. As a result of the clashes, more than 60 Kashmiri protestors. Additionally, around 50 FC personnel were injured during the confrontation.

In few instances, the FC forces were beaten and chased while they trie to flee from the clutches of agitated protestors, who turned violent after Pak lawlessness.

The situation became out if control as people started confronting Pak forces with some picture emerging of Pakistan FC forces caught and made to leave their uniform which social media took as a reminiscent of 1971. Additionally an FC personal was thrown from the cliff.

In solidarity with the people of POJK, a rally was taken out by the Awami Action Committe of Pal occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB) from Palace Hotel to Ittehad Chowk in Gilgit city. They protested the arrest of the leaders of POJK Awami Action Committe.

Meanwhile, the processions from across POJK started moving towards Muzaffarabad on May 11 but faced road blocks as many roads towards Muzaffarabad were blocked by GC forces.

Slogans of “Hum leke rahenge azaadi, him chheen ke lenge azaadi” were raised across POJK.

Awami Action Committe Chairman warns Pak forces

The Awami Action Committe chairman Shaukat Nawaz Mir vehemently condemned the Pak brutality and warned that any further arrest would lead to a direct confrontation.

Notably, these protests started by the J&K Joint Awami Action Committee a year ago, demanding the subsidised wheat, electric power, royalty on the power generated from Kashmiri resources, among others.

What are the protests actually for?

The Awami Action Committee had issued a Charter of Demands highlighting its course of action and demands.
In the course of one year, POJK saw women’s protest, children protest, complete shutdown, school students’ protest but Pakistan remained unmoved by the ordeal of protestors, who were out on road in chilling winters.
Due to high inflation, the prices of wheat flour have gone up unprecedentedly. Kashmiris are demanding subsidised wheat as provisioned for the disputed land under the UN Charter.

This must be understood here that POJK is not the fifth state of Pakistan and hence Pak denies to treat the people as its citizen. However, it earns massively from the region, without giving Kashmiris their due share. The region generates 4900 megawatts of electricity and 13 billion units, suffice enough to fulfill the need of entire Pakistan. But that electricity is transmitted to Pakistan and then again sold to POJK at a hefty price which is above Rs. 16 per unit.

To even worse, the Pak authorities do load shedding for over 15 hours a day. To protest against it the protestors have boycotted the electricity bill. Every month they collect the bills and burn them publicly, sometimes take out its death procession, sometimes make paper boats using them to register their symbolic protests.

The chaos and violence was unpredicted because the protest has been peaceful since one year. It is the Pak forces that took the region under seize and Muzaffarabad as hostage. The oppression and military control over the already downtrodden population led to violent resistance.

In the midst of escalating protests for rights in Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK), the oppressive tactics of Pak forces have once again come to light. Just one day prior to the scheduled May 11 processions, a disturbing incident unfolded as a dozen policemen mercilessly assaulted an innocent youth in public.

This incident occurred against the backdrop of heightened tensions in Muzaffarabad, the capital of POJK, which has been under strict control by Pak forces for several days. The city remains gripped by fear and oppression, with residents subjected to severe restrictions on their freedom.

The veil of false freedom that Pakistan has long draped over the occupied region is now being lifted, revealing the harsh reality faced by the people of POJK. While Pakistan has portrayed itself as a liberator, recent events have exposed the truth of its oppressive rule. Social media has played a pivotal role in dispelling the misinformation propagated by Pakistan, allowing the people of POJK to see through the deception they have endured for over 75 years.

In stark contrast to the facilities and freedoms enjoyed by Kashmiris in Jammu and Kashmir, residents of POJK find themselves struggling to access even the most basic necessities, such as wheat. As the protests for rights and autonomy continue to gain momentum, the people of POJK are increasingly determined to break free from the shackles of Pakistani subjugation and reclaim their rightful autonomy.

Reports from Mirpur and Muzaffarabad paint a grim picture of unrest as people take to the streets defying Pak imposed dictates of Section 144 and heavy police repression. Dozens of youths were subjected to violence and arrests in Mirpur to which, people resorted to heavy stone pelting on the police, sparking fierce protests at Chowk Shaheeda.

Similar scenes unfolded in Muzaffarabad, where Pakistan police personnel resorted to tear gas to disperse protestors. Disturbing visuals from the aite show Pak forces openly blazing guns against the peaceful protestors. Reports indicate that even the house of native Kashmiris were targetted in firing.

Additionally, to quell the protests, Pak forces have resorted to foul play, as evidenced by visuals recorded by the families of Awami Action Committee leaders. These recordings depict officials breaking into homes without permission, instilling fear among children and harassing women.

The root cause of these protests lies in the longstanding grievances of the people of POJK, who are demanding basic rights such as access to food, electricity, and a fair share of income from their lands. However, Pakistan’s continued neglect of their demands and illegal control for over the past 75 years has only fueled anger among the populace.

As tensions escalate and protests persist, the situation in Mirpur and Muzaffarabad remains volatile.

Protests have erupted across Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (POJK) following the arrest of business leaders and members of the Action Committee. The demonstrators expressed outrage against the oppressive measures taken by the occupying Prime Minister, accusing him of pushing the region towards devastation.

The Public Action Committee has announced a complete shutdown in POJK on Friday in response to the arrests and reported police brutality in Dadyal and other areas. Tensions escalated as tear gas was deployed and orders for a lathi charge were issued during the public protests. Reportedly, a girl lost her life in the action while others were injured. Angered protestors cornered an Assistant Commissioner, assaulting him and setting his vehicle ablaze. His torn clothes and helmet were hung on the gates of the city square as a symbol of protest.

Under the banner of the Joint Awami Action Committee, peaceful protests have been ongoing for over a year, with Kashmiris demanding their rights to essentials like electricity, wheat flour, and a fair share of the region’s wealth. Despite their grievances, Pakistan has turned a deaf ear to their demands.

In response to mass processions planned for Muzaffarabad on May 11, Pakistan deployed forces to suppress the peaceful protests, resorting to tear gas shelling even in schools and hospitals in Dadyal.

The brutal crackdown on civilian protests has sparked outrage among residents, leading to massive street demonstrations where slogans condemning Pakistan’s actions reverberated.

Notably, POJK has been under illegal occupation by Pakistan since independence, with residents accusing Pakistan of treating the region as its colony rather than granting them their rightful freedoms.

The recent incident serves as a stark reminder of the plight of the people of POJK under Pakistan’s rule, echoing the oppressive tactics of imperial powers in the 20th century.