In Pakistan-administered Kashmir, state pressure and the military siege have intensified against a four-month-long peaceful public movement demanding fundamental rights. According to the latest reports from Southern Bagh, an additional 30 vehicles belonging to the Frontier Corps (FC) have arrived in the area. Meanwhile, a shovel machine (excavator), 15 vehicles of the Rangers, and several vehicles from the Azad Kashmir Police—comprising two ‘Vigo’ pickups and six Hiace vans—are currently advancing rapidly toward the ongoing sit-in in Rawalakot, via the village of ‘Bharkah’.
This movement comes at a time when the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC) has taken a major decision to march toward Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Kashmir; the final date for this march is expected to be announced soon.
For the past four months, the public—including those in Rawalakot and various other districts—has remained on the streets and engaged in sit-ins to demand their fundamental rights.
As a result of indiscriminate firing and violence by state forces, more than 100 unarmed protesters—including innocent children and women—have been killed so far.
Hundreds of individuals have been subjected to enforced disappearance by the forces, while thousands of peaceful citizens have been imprisoned.
According to political analysts, the deployment of such a large number of security forces toward the sit-in site—following reports of the planned Muzaffarabad march—could be a precursor to a major military operation or crackdown. This has rendered the situation in the region extremely tense and alarming.
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