Daijiworld Media Network – Muzaffarabad
Muzaffarabad, Jul 5: Thousands of people staged protests across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) on Saturday after the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) launched a region-wide strike and agitation, alleging military excesses and demanding the release of detained leaders, withdrawal of security forces and restoration of internet services.
The protest, backed by civil society organisations, saw large sit-ins, demonstrations and a voluntary shutter-down and wheel-jam strike across several towns. Protesters gathered in Rawalakot and other areas, raising slogans and calling for the fulfilment of their demands.
According to local sources, people from different parts of the region, including women, children, youth and senior citizens, joined the demonstrations in large numbers.
Authorities tightened security across Muzaffarabad ahead of the protest call, deploying police and Rangers personnel at major entry and exit points, key intersections and other sensitive locations.
Women also participated in the demonstrations, demanding the release of JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, withdrawal of Rangers personnel and an end to what they described as repression in the region. Several protesters said the agitation would continue until their demands were met.
JAAC core committee member Umar Nazir Kashmiri urged demonstrators to remain peaceful despite the heavy security deployment.
He appealed to protesters not to damage government buildings or public property, stating that such assets belonged to the people, and called on participants to remain united throughout the agitation.
Another core committee member, Abid Shaheen, urged the public to participate in large numbers and said a formal declaration would be issued after the demonstrations.
Protesters also demanded the immediate restoration of internet services, claiming the prolonged disruption had severely affected freelancers, students, online teachers, e-commerce workers and others dependent on digital connectivity for their livelihoods.
They further alleged that the internet shutdown had disrupted communication between overseas Kashmiris and their families.
The Awami Action Committee also announced solidarity protests by overseas Kashmiris, including a march in London and demonstrations outside Pakistani diplomatic missions in the United Kingdom and other countries. Organisers said the Pashtun Tahafuz Movement (PTM) would also participate in the London protest.
Describing the agitation as a historic public movement, JAAC leaders warned of intensified democratic protests if their demands remained unaddressed.