- Demonstration against inflation in PoK turned explosive
- Three people died during the protest in Britain, six demonstrators were injured
- To control the situation in PoK, raids of Pak Rangers were launched
In PoK, which was annexed by the neighboring country, Pakistan, protests are ongoing due to inflation. Locals are in a mood of agitation over rising electricity bills, taxes and wheat flour prices. For the fourth day in a row, strike-like conditions and heavy fire remain in PoK. Meanwhile, the situation became more explosive in PoK’s Muzaffarabad with heavy clashes between protesters and security personnel. PoK had reverberations in Britain as well. A local party of PoK staged a protest outside the Pakistani consulate in Bradford, Britain. Three people were killed in the clashes that followed the protest on Tuesday. While six people have been injured.
The Joint Awami Action Committee of Jammu and Kashmir is demanding an end to the provision of electricity, subsidy on wheat flour and other privileges in PoK. Police conducted a search operation in the area throughout the night. Meanwhile, many leaders and activists were arrested. In Muzaffarabad, Dadial, Mirpur and other areas of PO there were heavy clashes between law and order jawans and local protesters.
Protests continue in PoK
Massive protests against inflation continue in Pakistan-occupied PoK. A local leader there said that the current situation in Muzaffarabad is very serious. On Tuesday morning, around five lakh people took to the streets demanding an end to allowances and privileges of the Prime Minister, President, MLAs, protesting cuts in taxes, subsidies in electricity bills. Suddenly the demonstrators retaliated and the Rangers retreated. It seemed that the Rangers had retreated but within minutes a large number of the convoy had broken up. He also said that the price of wheat has been reduced by around 600 to 700 rupees per month.
The people of PoK sought India’s help
As the situation in PoK is volatile, internet services have been suspended for now. Army helicopters are landing. Each helicopter has 20 to 25 passengers. A local leader said that we request the Indian government that the Ministry of External Affairs is directed to call the Pakistani ambassador and seek clarification. Our lives are at stake in this PoK. It may be mentioned here that the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari appealed to maintain peace and resolve the issue through discussion.
