Srinagar, May 12: Normal life and business were disrupted badly after clashes broke out between protesters and security forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on Saturday. The uncertain situation led closure of schools, offices for the second straight day in Mirpur, Azad Jammu & Kashmir after bouts of violence erupted in Muzaffarabad.
According to local media reports the Awami Action Committee carried out protests in parts of PoK against inflation on Friday, which led to a massive crackdown by Pakistani security forces. Earlier a wheel-jam and shutter-down strike in Muzaffarabad brought the city to a standstill on May 10 with the AAC vowing to carry out more protests.
The AAC called for a peaceful protest against high taxes, inflated electricity bills and the sky rocketing of prices of daily use goods.
The Dawn reported that clashes erupted after police resorted to tear gas shelling around peoples’ homes and mosques, which prompted several union to call strike across multiple parts of PoK which include Samahni, Sehansa, Mirpur, Rawalakot, Khuiratta, and Hattian Bala areas.
Geo News reported that on Friday the AAC led a series of peaceful marches to Muzaffarabad, protesting against “unjust” taxes imposed on electricity bills, which led to skyrocketing inflation. The protests soon turned violent when demonstrators and the police had faceoff near Islam Garh.
The situation in the entire area is yet to normalize while police and other paramilitary forces have been deployed in strength to ensure peace in the region. (KDC)
