May 14th 2024.
In the capital city of Muzaffarabad, Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, protests against high prices of wheat flour and inflated electricity bills turned violent as security forces clashed with demonstrators. According to a report from Tuesday, at least three people were killed and six others were injured as paramilitary Rangers opened fire on the protesters.
The Rangers, who were called in to maintain law and order in the disputed region, were attacked while leaving the area. The 19-vehicle convoy, including five trucks, decided to exit through Kohala instead of Brarkot, a village that borders Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. As they entered Muzaffarabad, the Rangers were met with a hostile atmosphere and were pelted with rocks near Shorran da Nakka village. In response, tear gas and bullets were fired, causing chaos and panic in the area.
The situation had escalated to the point that even the Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, had to intervene. He approved a Pakistani Rs 23 billion subsidy to be released immediately to the region, following unsuccessful negotiations between the protesters and the regional government. However, this decision did not appease the protesters, and the situation remained tense.
This was not the first incident of violence in the disputed region. Just a few days earlier, clashes between the police and activists of a rights movement had resulted in the death of a police officer and over 100 injuries. The region has been completely shut down since Friday, with a complete strike observed by the people.
Days before the violence erupted, Prime Minister Sharif and the disputed region's "prime minister" Anwarul Haq had approved the release of Pakistani Rs 23 billion for the region, mainly for power and wheat subsidies. The subsidized rate for 40kg flour was reduced to Pakistani Rs 2,000 from Pakistani Rs 3,100, and the electricity tariff was reduced for different units.
The protests were being led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, with traders playing a significant role in most parts of the region. The protesters were demanding subsidized wheat flour and electricity costs, as well as an end to the privileges of the elite class.
In an attempt to calm the situation, the JAAC had organized a long march to Muzaffarabad, which began on Monday. This came after talks between the JAAC core committee and the region's Chief Secretary ended without any resolution.
The President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari, also expressed concern over the violence and urged all parties to exercise restraint and resolve the issues through dialogue. Prime Minister Sharif echoed the same sentiment, calling for a peaceful resolution to the matter. He also emphasized that there should be no tolerance for taking the law into one's own hands.
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