https://arab.news/myqmq
- Federal ministers say those behind unrest will be treated as rioters, not protesters
- Police say two security personnel killed as JAAC claims 25 supporters died
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government on Tuesday backed a crackdown by the Azad Kashmir government after deadly violence marred the first phase of legislative elections, with federal ministers saying those involved in the unrest would no longer be treated as protesters but as rioters.
The remarks came a day after clashes in Rawalakot overshadowed voting in Mirpur division. Police said two security personnel were killed, while the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) claimed at least 25 of its supporters died during two days of violence, a figure authorities dispute and Arab News could not independently verify.
The unrest marks the latest escalation in a political crisis that has gripped the Himalayan region ahead of elections. JAAC, which emerged last year over grievances including electricity tariffs, governance and economic rights, has more recently focused its campaign on 12 seats in the Azad Kashmir Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir. The group argues the arrangement allows Pakistan-based political parties to influence the formation of the regional government, while authorities say the seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without a constitutional amendment.
Speaking at a joint press conference in Islamabad, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said the federal government fully backed the Azad Kashmir administration’s response to the protests and vowed to support efforts to maintain law and order and protect the electoral process.
“This is no longer a protest movement. We will handle this in a completely different way now,” Chaudhry said. “They will not be considered protesters; they will be considered rioters. On rioters, the state there will use the power of the law available to it.”
Chaudhry alleged authorities had recovered automatic weapons, including M4 rifles, Kalashnikovs and sniper rifles, from those arrested, and said one suspect had recently arrived from abroad and was a trained marksman. He did not provide evidence to support the claims.
The regional government banned JAAC last month under anti-terrorism laws, accusing it of involvement in violent activities, allegations the group denies. The ban triggered calls for a “long march” to Muzaffarabad, while authorities pressed ahead with a three-phase legislative election that began on Monday in Mirpur division.
Speaking alongside Chaudhry, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said the government believed the violence had vindicated its decision to ban JAAC, accusing the group of attempting to disrupt what he described as a peaceful election.
“From day one we were saying that this is not a peaceful protest,” Tarar said. “This is an extremist group, these are militants.”
He also alleged, without providing evidence, that the group was operating on a foreign agenda and receiving funding from neighboring India.
Earlier, Defense Minister Khawaja Asif ruled out talks with those responsible for attacks on security forces.
“No, I don’t think there will be any dialogue with them,” Asif told reporters. “I count them among those whom we see as being in the enemy camp of Pakistan. These people too are enemies of Pakistan.”
JAAC DENIES ALLEGATIONS
According to police, supporters of JAAC attempted to march into Rawalakot despite repeated warnings to disperse. Authorities said protesters opened fire on security personnel, attacked a security post, torched police and military vehicles and attempted to disrupt the electoral process after polling had ended.
“The protesters are violent and armed, and they continued firing at the security forces throughout the night,” Azad Kashmir Inspector General of Police Captain (retd.) Liaqat Ali Malik told Arab News.
JAAC rejected the government’s account, saying its supporters had come under fire while staging peaceful demonstrations.
Abid Shaheen, a member of the group’s core committee, said 19 protesters were killed in Rawalakot on Monday and more than 50 wounded. He alleged another six people were killed on Tuesday when security forces opened fire on demonstrators in Mirpur protesting the previous day’s violence.
“Everything is available through our sources and authentic IDs confirming that 19 of our people have been killed,” Shaheen told Arab News, adding the group was prepared to provide the names and photographs of those killed. He also denied police allegations that protesters were carrying firearms.
Malik said police could not verify JAAC’s casualty figures because authorities had not received bodies or official medical documentation.
“I can only verify it when there is a formal report or when victims are taken to a hospital where a post-mortem or medical documentation is conducted,” he said.
Despite the violence, federal officials said polling in Mirpur division had concluded successfully, and election authorities said the remaining phases would proceed as scheduled on Aug. 2 and Aug. 10.