Protesters clash with Rangers in Muzaffarabad despite govt concessions

MUZAFFARABAD: Despite the government of Pakistan’s acceptance of the demands of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Awami Action Committee, including the reduction in electricity and flour prices, tensions escalated in Muzaffarabad after protesters clashed with Rangers.

Local media reported that clashes erupted in the Gojra area of the city, resulting in several demonstrators being injured by gunfire. Two of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

After the government approved the AJK Awami Action Committee’s demands, participants of the long march, who were halted in Dhirkot, were allowed on Monday to proceed to Muzaffarabad after the administration removed barricades.

Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a Rs23 billion subsidy for AJK. Following the prime minister’s approval, the Kashmir government issued separate notifications to reduce the prices of electricity and flour.

According to the AJK Food Department’s notification, the price of 40 kilograms of flour has been set at Rs2,000, while the price for 20 kilograms has been fixed at Rs1,000.

The AJK Department of Electricity and Water Resources also issued a notification reducing electricity prices. The notification sets the price at Rs3 per unit for up to 100 units, Rs5 for 100 to 300 units, and Rs6 per unit for over 300 units.

For commercial use, the electricity price was set at Rs10 per unit for up to 300 units and Rs15 per unit for over 300 units.

Following these announcements, convoys of protesters began arriving in Muzaffarabad and were welcomed by officials of the AJK Awami Action Committee.

After the arrival of protesters’ convoys from all districts, a public rally by the AJK Awami Action Committee was also expected. However, the situation in the city suddenly deteriorated.

Eyewitnesses said that when Pakistan Rangers’ troops entered Muzaffarabad via Abbottabad Road, Gojra, protesters began chanting slogans. During the ensuing clashes, several individuals were injured.

Hours earlier, protesters had pelted stones at a Rangers convoy in the Bararkot area on the border between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Kashmir, after which the vehicles were seen retreating.

However, in the evening, Rangers’ vehicles once again entered the limits of Muzaffarabad, leading to a confrontation with protesters at the Gojra bypass. Following the incident, protesters set fire to two Rangers’ vehicles.

On the other hand, the local administration and police fired tear gas shells and conducted aerial firing at Chatter Chowk in front of the Legislative Assembly to disperse the protesters.

Additionally, paramilitary security forces were deployed via three helicopters at the Chatter High Court ground.

At 6:30 pm, local journalist Syed Ashfaq Shah told Urdu News that “the city’s situation is tense again, with heavy tear gas shelling and firing.”

He reported that “long march convoys were entering the city and being welcomed by local protesters at Ambore and Chatter when suddenly a clash occurred in Gojra, and the situation worsened.”

After the government accepted the demands of the AJK Awami Action Committee, internet service, which had been suspended for two days in AJK, was restored. However, due to the escalating tensions, the internet was shut down again.

Journalist Syed Ashfaq Shah stated that “currently, only limited landline internet is operational in the city.”

The AJK Awami Action Committee’s long march and protests against high electricity prices, expensive flour, and other demands, had commenced on May 10.

Negotiations between government representatives and the AJK Awami Action Committee members in Rawalakot failed on Sunday night, after which the convoys headed towards Muzaffarabad.