MUZAFFARABAD: Peace and calm appear to have returned to Azad Jammu and Kashmir on the third day of demonstrations on Sunday against rising electricity bills, while normal life remains disrupted with businesses shuttered and public transport halted in various cities.
On Saturday, turmoil gripped Azad Kashmir, as clashes between protesters and police escalated during the ongoing demonstrations against rising electricity bills.
Normalcy could not be restored on the third day of the wheel-jam and shutter-down strike in Kashmir on Sunday, where an additional sub-inspector was martyred and 16 other police personnel injured in firing on Saturday.
The situation in Muzaffarabad was tense, with businesses, markets and public transport closed completely in various cities. A couple of hotels and restaurants could be seen opened somewhere in the city.
A march, which started from Mirpur, is passing through various cities en route to Muzaffarabad. The participants in the march spent the night at various spots on their way.
The protesters are demanding that electricity prices be decreased, flour subsidized, and the privileges of the elite abolished.
Meanwhile, 4G broadband internet service also remains suspended in Mirpur, Rawalakot and other cities across Azad Kashmir. The locals have complained about facing severe problems due to the internet shutdown.
The funeral prayers for Adnan Qureshi, the martyred Azad Jammu Kashmir Police sub-inspector, who was performing his duty as additional sub-inspector, would be held at noon in Mirpur.
On Sunday, a peaceful rally of the Awami Action Committee was held in the Barnala tehsil of Bhimber district, demanding the release of their arrested colleagues, while daily life was going on as usual in Samahni, Barnala and Bhimber.
Moreover, additional police force has been removed from the entry and exit points of Bhimber district, as business centers have opened up and traffic on the highways is also flowing normally.
“Citizens have played an exemplary role in maintaining peace and order in Bhimber,” said the deputy commissioner.
On Saturday, various places in Muzaffarabad saw stone-pelting and shelling, while the Bank Road appeared to be a battlefield. Many police officers and protesters were injured in Islamgarh, and an additional SHO, who was injured the previous day due to the violence of the protesters, died.
On the appeal of the Joint Public Action Committee, a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike prevailed across Azad Kashmir on the second day on Saturday. Traders started their march from Mirpur towards Muzaffarabad. When barriers were put up to stop the march in Kotli, the participants made their way by cutting down trees.
Invitation for open dialogue
Amidst the chaos, Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq extended an invitation to the Public Action Committee for open dialogue, expressing the government’s willingness to address concerns regarding the prices of essential commodities and provide more relief on the prices of flour and electricity.
He said in a press conference that the government would not make any undemocratic decisions, adding that a sub-inspector was martyred, and 50 officials were injured during the riots. Despite this, the authorities showed patience and avoided using force. He dispelled any reports to the contrary as rumours spread on social media.
DIG Muzaffarabad Region replaced
Due to the violent protests in the capital of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Saturday, the government has replaced the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Muzaffarabad on Sunday.
According to the details, DIG Muzaffarabad Region Yasin Qureshi has been transferred and Irfan Masood Kashfi has been appointed as the new DIG.
The sources said that the notification for the new DIG Muzaffarabad Region appointment has been issued.
The sources also said that the government has decided to change Muzaffarabad Commissioner Masoodul Rehman too. The new commissioner of Muzaffarabad will be Adnan Khurshid.
