Post by : Rameen Ariff

Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) witnessed violent clashes on Monday as thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding basic rights, leaving two people dead and 22 others injured. Sources report that armed men, allegedly backed by the Pakistan Army and the ISI-aligned Muslim Conference, fired at civilians during the demonstrations.

Videos shared online show chaos on the streets, with protesters waving flags, chanting slogans, and some men firing guns into the air. Many local shops, markets, and transport services were closed as part of a complete shutdown called by the Awami Action Committee (AAC), the group leading the protests.

The AAC has presented 38 demands, including the removal of 12 seats in the PoK Assembly reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan, which locals say weakens representative governance. AAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir warned the government that the strike marked only the beginning of their campaign for fundamental rights. He added that stricter plans are ready if authorities do not respond.

In response, Islamabad deployed heavily-armed patrols across PoK towns and sent additional troops from Punjab and the capital. Internet access in the region has also been restricted.

The protests come in the wake of a deadly Pakistan Air Force strike last week in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which killed 30 civilians. Chinese-made J-17 fighter jets dropped LS-6 laser-guided bombs on a village, sparking outrage among local communities already on edge due to increased terrorist activity in the region.

Authorities have increased security measures amid growing unrest, as local populations continue to demand justice and protection of their fundamental rights.

#world news #Global News