A grand and historic demonstration of people’s power is underway in Palandri, the headquarters of the Sidhnoti district of Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir, on August 19, on the appeal of the Joint People’s Action Committee (JAAC). In this movement for the restoration of basic economic and civil rights, which has been going on for the past two and a half months, thousands of citizens have come out on the streets, overcoming the obstacles of all Pakistani security forces.
Large convoys consisting of children, women, old people and youth from Diwan Gorah and other areas are moving towards Palandri with enthusiasm. Several important convoys have entered the city by breaking through the security barriers.
The advance of the forces coming from Tarakhal and the police of Palandri City Police Station have been stopped by enthusiastic protesters at the Bitran location. The administrative control of the area is currently in the hands of the people and the forces are not being allowed to move forward.
Security forces have taken strict measures at various points to stop the convoys, while clashes and firing between protesters and forces have also been reported at some sites.
The focal point of this movement, organized by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Public Action Committee, is a sit-in in Rawalakot. According to the leaders of the Action Committee and local sources, the situation has taken a very critical turn.
The continuous blockade of the region by Pakistani forces has led to a severe shortage of medicines, rations and basic food items.
The leaders allege that more than 100 unarmed civilians have been killed and hundreds seriously injured in direct fire by the forces so far.
During the movement, thousands of protesters and other active workers including the central leader of the Action Committee, Shaukat Nawaz Mir, have been arrested and shifted to unknown locations, of whom no news has been received yet.
State measures, arrests, and blockades have created intense public anger, but all sections of the People’s Action Committee are determined to continue protesting until their rights are achieved.
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