“India must act, cannot stay away from current situation in PoJK”: Human rights activist

Amjad Ayub Mirza, a political activist from Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), said India cannot remain aloof from the current situation in PoJK and must act now. He called on India to focus on PoJK as the situation there is getting out of control.

Mirza said that the people of PoJK, especially the young generation, are fighting the Pakistani army on the streets. He said that the Pakistani army is shooting people and at least two people have reportedly been killed recently. He said that there is a rumor of a police SHO being killed and the situation is going out of control.

In a statement he said, “India cannot remain separated from the current situation in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. Right now our people are fighting. The entire Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir has been cordoned off by peaceful protesters who are being beaten and shot by the Pakistan Police, Punjab Police, so called Azad Kashmir Police and FC.

“The situation is going out of control. It’s really already out of hand. And India should now focus all its attention on Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir and help and facilitate the independence of this occupied territory including Gilgit-Baltistan,” he said.

He accused the police of entering people’s homes without warrant. He further said that the police entered the house of Joint Awami Action Committee leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir without any warrant.

He said, “At present, the people of Pakistan occupied Jammu and Kashmir, especially the young generation, are on the streets and they are fighting the Pakistani forces. The Pakistani army is firing on them and reportedly at least two people have been killed.

“A police SHO is also rumored to have been killed. The situation is going out of control. Security forces and police are entering people’s homes without warrant. They have entered the house of Joint Awami Action Committee leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir without any warrant.

He called on India to take action considering the situation in PoJK, saying, “The situation is getting worse by the day. India should take action. India will have to take action. India should not follow the footsteps of previous governments where they thought everything could be business as usual by ignoring Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. This is not business as usual. And if today the Indian government does not increase its efforts to liberate POJK and Gilgit-Baltistan, then this golden opportunity for our freedom will be lost.

Meanwhile, the Awami Action Committee in Pakistan-occupied Jammu Kashmir (PoJK) has vowed to continue protests amid police action on peaceful protesters in Muzaffarabad.

Protests against price rise turned violent on Friday when police cracked down on protesters in the capital Muzaffarabad. The wheel jam and shutter-down strike brought the city to a standstill and normal activities were disrupted.

Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a leading figure of the movement, narrowly escaped arrest and emerged as a leading voice, addressing meetings across the city and stressing their determination to continue their struggle.

“Put any tag on us, but as long as God is with us, you cannot harm us. Let us live in peace. If you again raid people’s houses and arrest them, there will be no peace. I am saying this openly,” Shaukat Nawaz Mir said in his address.

He said, “I appeal to everyone to save their area, save their identity. If identity remains intact, everything will be possible; Otherwise, nothing can be achieved. I have faith in all of you that you will fight this long battle and achieve success. The battle has to be fought peacefully and by protecting ourselves. “If you don’t stay on the ground, it will be difficult to fight.”

The Awami Action Committee called for protests demanding tax-free electricity from the Mangala Dam and subsidy on wheat flour. The strike was accelerated by overnight police raids, which resulted in the arrest of several leaders and workers. Clashes broke out between law enforcement and protesters in Muzaffarabad, Dadial, Mirpur and other parts of PoJK.

Reports indicate that Pakistan’s security forces used excessive force against peaceful protesters. Tear gas and bullets were used against unarmed civilians allegedly exercising their right to protest.

A protester and senior citizen, whose house was raided by security forces, said, “My house was raided yesterday evening, and another attempt was made this morning, but I stopped them. Those who are with the action committee are not going to back down.