1 Killed In Police Action Against Pro-Freedom Protesters In Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad
One person has been killed and several others have been injured in a clash between pro-freedom protesters and police in Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s capital of Muzaffarabad on Tuesday.
Nationalist groups in Kashmir are currently protesting for the establishment of a ‘representative constituent assembly’ in Azad Jammu And Kashmir.
The protests are being led by an alliance of pro-freedom groups called the Jammu And Kashmir Pakistan National Alliance, which was formed after India’s revocation of Article 370 of its constitution on August 5.
In the first protests after its formation, the alliance protested for an end to the Indian lockdown of Jammu and Kashmir, and called for the withdrawal of foreign forces from Kashmir and reunification of both parts of Kashmir.
Most importantly, the groups stresses upon Kashmiris’ right to self-determination and complete independence of the entire state of Jammu and Kashmir from both India and Pakistan.
In its most recent protest, beginning on October 22, the PNA announced a march to the Azad Jammu And Kashmir Legislative Assembly for the establishment of an ‘interim representative constituent assembly’ in AJK.
According to videos posted on social media, the government has attempted to brutally suppress the protests through baton charges, use of tear gas and aerial firing. In a video posted on social media by academic and activist Dr Taimur Rehman, he could be seen with protesters amid what he said was tear gas smoke.
People’s National Alliance in Mazafarabad Kashmir protest lathi charged by police. Tear gas and also aerial firing. pic.twitter.com/smz3wHBynq
— Dr. Taimur Rahman (@Taimur_Laal) October 22, 2019
Academic Ammar Ali Jan also took to Twitter to express concern over police action in AJK and asked why the state was suppressing Kashmiris when it claimed to be the disputed region’s global ambassadors.
Disturbing news from Muzaffarabad. Police baton-charge and tear-gas to disperse crowds gathered for rally called by People's National Alliance.
What's the purpose of such repression on Kashmiris when we claim to be their global ambassadors? This needless violence must end.
— Ammar Ali Jan (@ammaralijan) October 22, 2019
People also pointed out that the action of authorities in AJK was not being reported in the mainstream media.
What happens in AJK stays in AJK? One person killed Muzaffarabad in clashes between police and pro-independence protestors demanding a new revolutionary constituent assembly for the territory https://t.co/vIZtGlJnIQ
— Fahad Desmukh (@desmukh) October 22, 2019
An independent journalist shared a video showing protesters fleeing charging officers of the police. Police could also be seen throwing stones on protesters.
Clashes between Police and activities of Pro indipenden kashmir org peoples national Alliance #PNA during a march toward #AJK Assembly many Protesters and police men injured. In #Muzaffrabad the capital of #Pakistan Administered #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/y9xv9sIh6K
— Amiruddin Mughal (@MughalAmiruddin) October 22, 2019
In another video shared by the same journalist, he claimed that police could be seen attacking Muzaffarabad Central Press Club to arrest PNA leaders.
#AJK Police in #Muzaffarabad attacked Centeral Press Club #CPC to arresst PNA leaders addrssing a press confrence. Several #journalists injured and gone unconscious following the #police batton charge and tear gas pic.twitter.com/kkraqxTm5A
— Amiruddin Mughal (@MughalAmiruddin) October 22, 2019
A journalist associated with BBC Urdu said that you could hear firing and shelling in Muzaffarabad, adding that nobody was investigating what was going on and the media was silent.
#Muzaffarabad
یہ مظفرآباد کی گلیوں سے سوشل میڈیا پر کیا ویڈیوز چل رہی ہیں، فائرنگ کی آوازیں شیلنگ، زخمی نوجوان اور بچے ۔۔۔ کوئی تردید تصدیق، سازش ۔۔ ہر جگہ سناٹا۔ میڈیا پر بھی خاموشی— Riaz sohail (@RiazSangi) October 22, 2019
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