AJK govt says state writ ‘restored’ after attempts to disrupt peace

MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Khushal Khan and Inspector General of Police Liaqat Ali Malik on Monday said the situation in the region was under control, saying that armed groups had failed in their attempts to disrupt peace and challenge the writ of the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Muzaffarabad, Khushal said that AJK had witnessed “undesirable incidents” over the past year, paying tribute to police personnel who were martyred or injured while maintaining law and order.

He said that armed groups had repeatedly attempted to disturb peace in the region under the guise of public demands.

“Every year, armed groups try to disrupt peace,” Khushal said, adding that the police were keeping a close watch on “miscreants”.

He said that the AJK authorities had managed to confine the groups to a limited area and that the government had taken immediate measures to restore peace and establish its writ.

Khushal said that the authorities had at times exercised restraint in the interest of maintaining peace and had not registered FIRs during some incidents.

He added that the government had fulfilled public demands and ensured implementation of an agreement reached to restore peace.

Police IG Malik said that the groups had attempted to disrupt peace under the guise of seeking public rights and had also tried to attack government property and law-enforcement agencies.

“This time too, an attempt was made to hold the state hostage,” Malik said, adding that the groups had also tried to disrupt the electoral environment.

He said the groups had failed in their attempts and that peace had been restored across the region.

Malik said the sacrifices of police personnel who lost their lives in maintaining peace would not go to waste.

He also accused the groups of killing police personnel and desecrating their bodies.

“The government’s writ has been established in Azad Kashmir,” the IG said.

Both officials said the administration and police remained vigilant and would continue taking measures to maintain peace and protect public property and state institutions.