AJK Police says one Rangers personnel martyred, JAAC council calls for end to force, independent probe into unrest
Islamabad
The Tehreek Tahaffuz-e-Ain Pakistan (TTAP) on Monday condemned the alleged use of force by state authorities against unarmed civilians in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), describing the reported loss of life and suppression of public demands as unacceptable, and called for immediate negotiations with protesters to quell the unrest and end the violence.
The statement comes as Rawalakot is currently gripped by unrest amid alleged clashes between security forces and supporters of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) rights group, with casualties reported.
In a statement issued on the situation in AJK, the alliance said the government had initially opted to negotiate with the JAAC but later chose to suppress the movement instead of making practical progress on its demands.
“Firing on unarmed civilians, the loss of human lives and the suppression of public voices are unacceptable under any circumstances,” the statement said.
“The state’s responsibility is to protect its citizens, not to allow them to be killed at the hands of its own institutions,” it added.
The alliance said a high-level TTAP delegation travelling to AJK to meet protesters, express solidarity with them and assess the situation had been stopped at Kahuta and not allowed to proceed.
“This action not only restricts political and democratic activities and the right to freedom of movement but also raises concerns about the government’s intentions and its attempt to keep political leadership and the public away from the ground realities,” the statement said.
“There is no justification for preventing a peaceful political delegation from reaching the protesters. The government must explain this decision, which it has yet to do,” it added.
The TTAP called for immediate and meaningful negotiations with the protesters and practical progress on their demands.
It demanded that the bodies of all those allegedly killed by state forces be handed over to their families without delay. It also called for transparent and impartial investigations into reported civilian deaths and the use of force to identify those responsible.
The alliance urged the authorities to provide immediate medical treatment to the injured and ensure that arrested individuals had access to justice in accordance with legal requirements. It also demanded compensation for damage to public and private property.
Read: PML-N’s ex-AJK PM Raja Haider appeals to authorities to ‘intervene before it’s too late’ in Rawalakot
The statement called for the TTAP delegation and other political and social representatives to be given unrestricted access to affected people and protesters in AJK.
“Using force to suppress public protests, making unnecessary arrests and taking measures that could lead to further bloodshed must stop immediately,” it said.
The alliance said using force instead of addressing public demands, withdrawing from negotiations and restricting the movement of political representatives would further aggravate the situation.
“The government must refrain from such actions and ensure the protection of citizens’ lives and property,” it said.
The TTAP said the people of AJK were not alone and pledged to raise its voice at every constitutional and legal forum to protect their constitutional, democratic and fundamental rights.
“There can be no justification for suppressing the voice of public rights through state force or taking the lives of innocent citizens. Preventing further bloodshed, ensuring justice for those killed and resolving public demands through negotiations are the government’s immediate responsibilities,” the statement said.
Sindh Rangers Naik succumbs to injuries sustained in Rawalakot firing
Meanwhile, a Naik of the Sindh Rangers who was injured in firing at an AJK police post in Rawalakot on Nov 5 died of his injuries on Sunday, the AJK Police spokesperson said in a statement.
The deceased, identified as Naik Bostan Khan, belonged to Kohat district and was serving with the Sindh Rangers. He had been deployed alongside AJK Police at the latter’s request to assist in maintaining law and order in the region.
