AJK administration hopeful remaining JAAC protesters will disperse peacefully

Lead

MUZAFFARABAD: The Poonch administration in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) is hopeful that the remaining protesters of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) will disperse peacefully, after a sizeable number of people gathered again following Friday prayers. The development comes a day after officials said all three sit-in sites on the outskirts of Rawalakot had been vacated, only for protesters to regroup hours later.

Coverage Comparison

Dawn reported that the JAAC protesters regrouped at two locations on Friday afternoon, drawing thousands of participants despite official claims that the protest campaign had collapsed. The largest gathering, comprising participants from Mirpur division and southern parts of Poonch division, was camped at Eidgah Ground, about 3.5 kilometres from Rawalakot city. Residents confirmed that the venue had appeared deserted in the early hours of Friday, with only litter left behind by departing protesters, but people began returning by noon and the crowd swelled to an estimated 5,000 to 6,000 after Friday prayers, including dozens of women and children.

The Hindu provided background on the JAAC, noting it was formed in 2023 out of protests against rising electricity tariffs and inflation. The umbrella organisation of civil society groups, trade bodies, students organisations, and socio-religious groups brought out a 38-point Charter of Demands, including access to subsidised wheat flour, fair electricity pricing, and the abolishment of the reservation of 12 seats for refugees in the region's Legislative Assembly. The Hindu also reported on the Indian government's reaction and statements from human rights groups.

Dawn's reporting also detailed the government's position, with Chief Secretary Khushal Khan ruling out any blanket amnesty for JAAC leaders and holding them responsible for recent deaths and violence. The government offered constitutional options to pursue the demand regarding the 12 reserved seats, including an all-parties conference, an assembly session, and recourse to the courts.

Key Claims

• The AJK government ruled out any blanket amnesty for leaders of the JAAC, as reported by Dawn. Chief Secretary Khushal Khan said at a press conference that the leadership would have to face the consequences of the deaths and violence linked to its movement.
• The JAAC demands the abolition of 12 seats in the Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir who settled in mainland Pakistan after 1947, a claim carried by Dawn and The Hindu.
• The government offered constitutional options to pursue the demand regarding the 12 seats, including an all-parties conference, an assembly session, and recourse to the courts, as reported by Dawn.
• The JAAC expanded its demands from two points to 38, according to Dawn. The Hindu also referenced the 38-point Charter of Demands.
• Dawn reported that 35 out of 38 demands agreed between the JAAC and the government last October had been fulfilled, citing Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry.
• Road blockades and violent activities occurred during the protests, and an attempt was made to hijack trucks carrying relief supplies, as reported by Dawn. Officials also alleged that women and children were used as human shields and that overseas activists raised anti-state slogans.
• The administration planned a decisive action against the protesters, including a contingent of around 1,000 Rangers, Federal Constabulary, and police personnel, as well as a flag-march of armoured vehicles, according to Dawn.
• Backchannel messaging with JAAC leader Umar Nazir Kashmiri was carried out through two local leaders, Sardar Javed Nisar and Sardar Javed Sharif, who conveyed a message to surrender, Dawn reported.
• The CNICs and passports of all 31 core members of the JAAC were blocked, according to Dawn.
• The JAAC was formed in 2023 to protest rising electricity tariffs, as reported by The Hindu.
• The Indian government asked the international community to hold Pakistan responsible for civilian killings and human rights abuses in PoK, a claim carried by The Hindu. Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed India's statements, saying it is untenable for a country like India to claim concerns over the rights of Kashmiris.

Perspectives

AJK Government: The government has ruled out blanket amnesty for JAAC leaders, blaming them for deaths and violence. It claims to have kept dialogue channels open, offering constitutional options, and says it is taking legal action. Officials expressed hope that remaining protesters would disperse peacefully.

JAAC (as represented in coverage): The JAAC has expanded its demands from two to 38 points, including the abolition of 12 reserved seats. It has continued protests despite government claims of dispersal, regrouping in large numbers after Friday prayers.

Indian Government: The Indian government has asked the international community to hold Pakistan responsible for civilian killings and human rights abuses in PoK, as reported by The Hindu.

Pakistan Foreign Office: Spokesperson Tahir Andrabi dismissed India's statements, asserting that it is untenable for India to claim concerns over Kashmiris' rights, as reported by The Hindu.