Military Rangers deployed as unrest grows in PoJK

Pakistani Army Rangers were deployed in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on Sunday to control violent protests that broke out in the region, The News International reported.

The decision was taken on the call of the Awami Action Committee (AAC) as protests against high electricity bills and taxes entered the third day on Sunday.

This development comes after a clash between police and protesters during a demonstration in Mirpur, in which one policeman was killed and more than 70 people were injured.

Meanwhile, mobile services have also been affected in several areas after mobile phone and internet services were suspended in various parts of PoJK, including Bhimber, Mirpur and Bagh Town, The News International reported.

Furthermore, the central leadership of the AAC has distanced itself from the violent incidents that took place during the protests.

Sajid Jagwal, one of the AAC members, said that their movement is peaceful. He said that he has been sitting for two days and no incident has happened.

Another member Tausif Mansoor said that the committee has nothing to do with the two-three incidents that took place during the protests.

Anjuman Tajran president Sahabzada Waqas said the protest was not against the state or any institution.

“This army is ours and this country is ours. The President said, we are neither against the army, nor against Pakistan or any other institution.

Yasir Hussain Naqvi, another AAC member, said they were not in favor of the destruction as these were their properties. “These institutions are ours and the police are ours,” he said.

Naqvi further said that the demands of the protesters are legitimate and there is no such demand which cannot be resolved.

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif will call a high-level meeting on Monday to discuss the current situation in the region, ARY News reported.

Earlier, PM Sharif on Sunday also spoke to the Prime Minister of PoJK and directed Pakistan Muslim League-N officials in the region to engage with the action committee leaders to find a peaceful solution.

Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that he is “deeply concerned” about it and added that taking the law into one’s own hands and damaging government properties will also not be tolerated.

At least one police officer was killed and 90 others injured in violent clashes during the ongoing protests and shutdown strike in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), Dawn reported on Saturday.