Islamabad

Pakistan's illegal occupation of the territories of India's Jammu and Kashmir has snowballed into a widespread public unrest. Pakistani authorities have launched a massive crackdown to quell the protests that have taken over the occupied region right across Line of Control. 

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So far, a police officer has been killed while 90 others are reported injured in the fresh clashes.

"Deeply concerned about the situation in AJK. Unfortunately in situations of chaos and dissent there are always some who rush in to score political points. While debate, discussion and peaceful protests are the beauties of democracy , there should be absolutely no tolerance for taking the law in one's own hands and damaging government properties," Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif wrote on X.

"I have spoken to PM AJK and also directed all PML-N office bearers in AJK to talk to the leaders of the action committee and I urge all parties to resort to peaceful course of action for resolution of their demands. Despite best efforts of detractors, the matter will hopefully be settled soon," he added.

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PoK protests: What triggered it?

The protests were triggered due to high inflation, heavy taxation and electricity shortage. The disenchantment over Pakistan's inability to provide these basic amenities to people in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir soon shaped into a movement for freedom and rights across the region.

The chants of 'Azadi' (freedom) took over Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as people clashed with police and security personnel in Muzaffarabad and other districts.Also watch | Pakistan: Massive protests in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir POK

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The protests are reportedly led by Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.

"There is going to be a complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike observed across PoK and specifically in Muzaffarabad against the police brutality against our peaceful protesters in Dadyal," said Saukat Nawaz Mir, chairman of the Traders Association Muzaffarabad and member of the Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, reported news agency IANS.

"I call on everyone to come out today and raise your voice for your rights," he added as videos of locals demanding freedom from the Pakistani establishment went viral.

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Visuals seen by WION journalists showed men being thrown off a hillslope as they struggle to get off the stranglehold of individuals quelling the protests. 

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Last week, while emphasising that Pakistan Occupied Kashmir has always been a part of India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had said the "very sorry state of affairs" has continued in Pakistan.

"PoK has never been out of this country. It has always been a part of this country. There is a resolution of the Indian parliament that PoK is very much a part of India. Now, how did other people get control? Ab ho jaata hai (it happens) when you have someone who is not a responsible custodian of a house, an outsider will come and steal something," Jaishankar said during an interactive session in Odisha in eastern India.

Also read | PoK residents seek India's help, raise slogans 'Ask Modi to get us freed from Pakistan'

"Here you have allowed another country... It was because we did not pursue the vacation of Pakistan from these territories in the early years of Independence that this very sorry state of affairs has continued. What will happen in the future is very difficult to tell. But, I always tell people one thing that today PoK is in the consciousness once again of the people of India. We had forgotten about it, we were made to forget about it, but it is back now, definitely," he added.

(With inputs from agencies)