The shuttering of shops and the halting of wheels in Azad Jammu and Kashmir continue for the fourth consecutive day, plunging daily routines into disarray. The region grapples with closed markets, suspended public transport, and shutdown government offices and educational institutions.
Adding to the turmoil, internet services remain offline, amplifying communication woes for residents. March participants from various locales converge at Dhirkot, poised to advance towards Muzaffarabad, as indicated by a leader of the joint action committee.
Rangers deployed
To manage potential crises, a contingent of Rangers has been dispatched to Muzaffarabad, the capital. Their convoy encountered resistance as protesters hurled stones at them in Shoran, prompting police to employ crowd-dispersal tactics. In response to the unrest, protesters have obstructed Abbottabad Road at multiple points, causing Rangers vehicles to reroute back towards Bararkot.
Resumption of Talks
In a significant development, the Awami Joint Action Committee announces the reestablishment of contact with the government, signaling negotiations resuming over the phone. Committee leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir asserts the necessity of government notification to endorse their three demands. Meanwhile, processions of demonstrators gather in Dhirkot, gearing up for the march towards Muzaffarabad.
Release of Protest Leaders
Protest leaders detained in Bhimbar, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, for instigating the long march have been set free. Tahir Iqbal, leader of the action committee in Samahni, was released late Sunday night, with others expected to follow suit on Monday. However, the suspension of internet services in Bhimbar district persists, exacerbating communication challenges for locals, despite a return to normalcy in business activities and traffic flow in Bhimbar, Barnala, and Samahni.
PM’s Intervention
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif convenes a special meeting to address the escalating situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Participants include AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, the National Assembly speaker, the AJK Legislative Assembly speaker, and former AJK premier Raja Farooq Haider Khan. PM Sharif receives a comprehensive briefing on the state of affairs in Azad Kashmir.
Symbol of Unrest
The ongoing strike symbolizes the simmering tensions in the region, evidenced by the thousands embarking on a long march from Rawalakot towards Muzaffarabad. Initiated by leaders of the Awami Joint Action Committee, the march resumed following a deadlock in negotiations with the government. Despite authorities deploying police forces to deter the march, with Punjab Rangers on standby, the situation in Muzaffarabad remains relatively calm on Monday. Nonetheless, the closure of markets, educational institutions, and the suspension of internet services persist, in line with a notification issued the preceding night.
