AJK unrest returns as JAAC calls ‘indefinite shutdown’ from Sept 29

KOTLI: The Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has announced a “complete and indefinite shutdown” across Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) from September 29, citing repeated violations of past agreements and unaddressed public grievances.

The JAAC is an alliance of civil rights group in AJK that led a prolonged protest movement across the disputed territory in favour of its demands.

In May 2024, the committee called for a protest march, inviting citizens from all parts of the state to converge on the capital, Muzaffarabad.

The march resulted in the fulfillment of most of their demands, which included subsidies on flour and electricity prices. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had approved a grant of Rs24 billion to help meet these demands.

In a statement issued after a consultative meeting held on Thursday in Kotli, the committee condemned the AJK government’s “deception and repeated breach of commitments,” particularly the written agreements of December 19, 2023; February 4, 2024; May 13, 2024; and December 8, 2024, signed in Kohala.

Repeated breaches of the agreement and the ‘untrustworthy’ AJK rulers are the main reasons behind the renewed protest movement and the call for indefinite shutdown, the JAAC said.

Locals block KKH to protest sedition case against activist

The committee stated that the fresh movement would be based on the previously approved charter of demands, along with new additions.

Abolish refugees seats

The committee reiterated its long-standing demand to abolish 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees settled in Pakistan, arguing that these and the privileges of the elite drain billions from the state’s resources and undermine genuine representation.

Registration policy for NCP vehicles

Rejecting the recent hike in vehicle registration fees and traffic fines, the JAAC strongly opposed the crackdown on non-custom paid vehicles, urging the government to comply with the Supreme Court’s directions on formulating a registration policy.

Full support for police’ protest on July 21

It also expressed full support for the AJK police employees’ protest scheduled for July 21, demanding salary increase and revision of allowances.

The rights body also condemned the deteriorating mobile phone services across AJK, warning of “serious action” if improvements are not made.

The committee voiced solidarity with other local action committees, including support for the lockdown call in Dhirkot on July 23 and the sit-in protest in Mang (District Sudhanoti).

It also criticised alleged irregular appointments at the Abbaspur postgraduate college and demanded the immediate implementation of a healthcare card system similar to Pakistan’s.

Deployment of non-local paramilitary forces

Strongly rejecting the deployment of non-local paramilitary forces in AJK under a presidential ordinance, the JAAC warned that any such move would be seen as an attack on Kashmiri autonomy and would be met with strong resistance.

It further called on both AJK and federal authorities to secure the safe recovery of all individuals reportedly abducted by gangs from the riverine areas, including a man named Tufail Hussain from Hajira.

The committee said it would soon announce its strategy for the upcoming general elections after conducting a public referendum on the 12 refugee seats in the AJK Assembly.