PoK violence: 20 dead in clashes over rigged elections, JAAC says

New Delhi: Violence has escalated in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), with clashes between activists protesting against rigged elections and law enforcement authorities leaving at least 20 people dead, according to the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which is spearheading the protests.

Reports have also emerged from PoK of exchanges of fire and armed clashes between protesters and law enforcement authorities on Monday, leading to several casualties, though an official number is yet to be released. Local authorities have disputed the casualty figures shared by JAAC but have not provided an official count so far.

The JAAC claimed that at least 19 deceased individuals have been identified, while the identity of one person who sustained a bullet injury to the head is yet to be ascertained. It has also accused police authorities of using brute force and live fire against activists participating in a long march to protest against rigged polls. The casualties occurred during the first phase of assembly elections in PoK, which have been marred by a series of protests by JAAC against undue interference by Islamabad to rig the electoral process and ensure the victory of candidates favourable to central authorities. The next test for PoK will come on August 2, when the second phase of elections is scheduled to take place. It remains to be seen whether the schedule will be followed, given the widespread violence and use of force. The third phase of polling is planned for August 12. The situation in PoK has remained tense since June, with protesters taking to the streets with a list of demands, including lower prices for electricity and essential food items. A major grievance among protesters has been the high cost of energy, despite PoK being the source of a majority of Pakistan's hydroelectric power.


The primary political demand of the protesters is the abolition of 12 refugee-designated seats in the PoK legislative assembly, which has a total of 45 elected seats. While these seats are reserved for people from Kashmir who migrated to other parts of Pakistan after the 1947 war with India, they have traditionally been influenced by the Pakistani Army to ensure that members of terror organisations targeting India get elected.