The political landscape of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) turned to chaos and high drama as the first phase of the heated legislative assembly elections came under pressure in which violence, deadly crackdowns and protests erupted across the country with Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) as it witnessed widespread violence, deadly crackdowns and violent protests as it went into complete chaos in the first stage of the heated legislative assembly elections. The election itself was characterized by violence and severe protests and a lot of bloodletting and riots, as security forces and Pakistani rangers opened fire on demonstrators and many were killed and dozens wounded in the early stages of the election in three stages from late July to August 10.
The unrest is rooted in months of civil unrest organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The main issue for the popular movement has been that of the 12 assembly seats for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir residing in other parts of Pakistan. Activists and citizens have long argued that these seats dilute the political representation of local people and allow outsiders to shape the management of the region. Despite broad public opposition and a 38-point charter of demands the JAAC issued on systemic changes, the administration did not meet the JAAC’s main demands and the committee was subsequently proscribed under anti-terrorism laws.
The tension spilled out into the streets during polling day as polling place areas of voting became flashpoints of fighting. In the Samahni constituency, where angry crowds accused authorities and polling staff of lying and holding booths hostage under threat of weapons, witness accounts and local media reports showed major disturbances at polling stations and polling centres. Videos from the streets also showed widespread law and order failure to function as well, with armed people taking away ballot boxes from polling booths and leaving them behind in places like Rawalakot, or large numbers of people who marched out of their homes when they could in the face of tight security clampdown and firing.
As for Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), mainstream political parties that were active in the region and that many people in the region feel betrayed by the government were accused of rigging, voter intimidation and electoral malpractice. Violence was also high on the list of casualties and anger grew in the people and the death of a local political worker in Kotli district and the death of a prominent activist also further fuelled the anger of the people against the government.
International attention has paid special attention to the deteriorating humanitarian and political situation in the region. India has often referred to the ongoing unrest in PoJK as a consequence of decades of systemic exploitation, suppression of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in Pakistan’s occupation. In opposition to the murder of unarmed people and the internet blackout and the heavy-handed dominance of local voices, these elections have done little to solidify democratic credibility and only contribute to the alienation and anger of the people caught in the midst of political machinations.
JAAC Writes letter to Pakistan Army Chief Munir, Cites Human Rights Violations
This video documents the grievances and letters written by the Joint Awami Action Committee on human rights violations and military activity in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.
