Violent clashes in Muzaffarabad over the last 48 hours, resulting in the death of a policeman, have reportedly subsided with the withdrawal of a Rangers detachment sent to Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from Kohala. The clashes ensued during a strike called by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) demanding various rights and subsidies, leading to casualties and injuries.
The situation worsened when a police official was killed while trying to control a rally organized by JAAC in Islamgarh. As the protests escalated, reports emerged of Rangers battalions entering the territory. However, due to intervention from President Asif Zardari, the Rangers were swiftly called back to maintain peace.
Despite the tensions, AJK Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore emphasized the importance of peaceful protests and clarified that certain demands, like cheap electricity, fall under the jurisdiction of the Government of Pakistan. JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir reiterated the committee’s peaceful intentions and willingness to negotiate for the betterment of AJK residents.
The movement seeks to address public needs overlooked by bureaucrats while challenging the federal government’s budget allocations. Mir expressed disappointment in the government’s priorities, emphasizing the importance of civil discourse and unity to achieve the desired reforms.