After the final failure of the talks between the Government of Pakistan, the Government of Azad Kashmir and the Jammu and Kashmir Joint People’s Action Committee, the security situation in the entire region has become extremely tense and explosive.
After the government deployed 14,000 additional forces personnel from Pakistan to Kashmir, a large-scale crackdown has been launched against peaceful protesters, as a result of which one person has been confirmed dead and several injured so far.
The real background of the failure of the talks and the dispute (12 refugee seats)
According to sources, the main reason for the deadlock between the Joint People’s Action Committee and the Government of Pakistan and the Government of Azad Kashmir is the 12 seats of the Azad Kashmir Assembly that are reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan. It is said that the people elected to these 12 seats are directly related to the Pakistani army and powerful circles, and with the help of these seats, the Pakistan Army completely controls the Kashmir Assembly and the political system of the region. The Action Committee wants the immediate abolition of these 12 refugee seats, however, the government of Pakistan, the Pakistan Army and the Kashmir government are strongly against this abolition.
After the failure of the talks on this point, the Public Action Committee gave a call for a long march on June 9. However, to stop this march, the government declared the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee a banned organization and started a crackdown in the entire region even before the scheduled date of the long march on June 9.
Internet blackout and communication blockade
On June 5, the government completely suspended mobile, phone services and internet in the entire Azad Kashmir, due to which the region has lost contact with the world and there is a complete blackout. The forces have taken control of all the entry and exit routes of the area and strict restrictions have been imposed on any kind of movement.
Khaigalla incident: General leader Umar Nazir Kashmiri injured, his companion killed
According to the information received, the forces opened direct fire on the convoy of the Action Committee near the Khaigalla Birmang bridge, as a result of which the key leader of the committee, Umar Nazir Kashmiri, was seriously injured by a bullet near the ear, while his senior companion Shahzeb Habib died on the spot.
Umar Nazir Kashmiri managed to reach the veranda of a local house in his injured state, where the local population gave him first aid and later shifted him to a safe place for security reasons. Due to excessive bleeding, he is unable to talk, however, in one of his messages he has appealed to the public: “Tomorrow, the people should head to Rawalakot city with a shroud on their heads and influential people should make announcements in this regard in mosques.”
Several leaders missing and feared to be arrested in injured condition
Four close associates of Umar Nazir Kashmiri, Tauseef Riaz, Shahzad Azhar alias Munna Bhai, Adil Sahib and Bilal Khan Afzal alias Nanha, are currently missing. According to unconfirmed reports, they have been arrested in an injured condition, however, no official information has been revealed about their whereabouts yet.
Patrolling and arrests by agencies in civilian clothes
According to reports received from various districts of Kashmir, police and intelligence agency personnel are patrolling in civilian clothes and private vehicles with Action Committee flags and pick up active members or ordinary citizens at the earliest opportunity.
The details of the important arrests made so far are as follows:
From Neelam Aath Maqam: Wasi Khawaja, Corps Member Khawaja Anis, Sadr-e-Bazar Rashid Awan, and Trader Shahnawaz have been arrested and shifted to an unknown location.
From Tarakhel: There are confirmed reports of the arrest of Anjuman Tajran Secretary General Abdul Quddus and Qari Naseer.
From Palandri: Corps member Sardar Shahzad and President Rickshaw Union Raja Anas have been arrested. (It should be noted that when the police were taking Atif Hussain and Nasir Satti from Palandri’s Kachhari Chowk camp, the people there resisted and stopped the vehicle and rescued both the leaders from police custody).
From Sahansa: Jammu Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) senior leader Commander Sufyan has been arrested.
Protest by placing the body in Rawalakot and police shelling
Today, a strong protest is being held by placing the body of Shahzeb Habib, who was killed in firing by forces yesterday, in front of the gate of CMH in Rawalakot. The protesters had planned to offer his funeral prayers today, however, the police have resorted to heavy shelling on the unarmed citizens who were protesting along with the body, which has further escalated the situation. The Action Committee has urged people from all surrounding areas to reach Rawalakot.
Appeal to the international community and human rights organizations
Leaders associated with the Azad Kashmir movement have appealed to Amnesty International, the United Nations and other international human rights organizations for immediate intervention. They say that this large-scale deployment of forces in a disputed region and the shooting of civilians demanding their rights is a serious violation of international law. They warned that two deaths have occurred so far and if the international community does not take notice, the situation may worsen.
Protest abroad: Decision of the Kashmir Community of Texas (USA)
There is also a strong protest among overseas Kashmiris against this state action of Pakistan and the bloody attack on the Action CommitteeThere is anger and outrage. The ‘Kashmir Community of Texas, USA’ has finally decided to record a huge and vigorous protest demonstration in front of the Pakistani Consulate in Texas (Houston) on June 9th to expose this atrocity on a global scale.
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