Tensions Run High in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir Amid Regional Elections

The situation in occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) continues to be tense amid a regional election. Clashes between security forces and activists of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) continued on Thursday in Rawalakot and nearby areas. Several casualties have been reported in the violence over the past several days. The Pakistan government has made it clear that there will be no talks with the protesters and the crackdown will continue. Human rights organizations have raised serious concerns over the situation in PoJK. Significantly, the JAAC has been agitating for 12 disputed seats in the so-called legislative assembly of PoJK for the past two months. According to Prater, the organization alleges that these refugee constituencies give undue importance to voters who are not residents of the region and whose identity has mostly not been verified. Also, the Pakistani establishment forms a government and prime minister of its choice through these seats. The organization organized a march to Muzaffarabad on the same issue. Apart from this, the local people are also not getting cheap food and other basic necessities.