A police officer has been killed and over 90 people including policemen and revenue officials sustained injuries in violent clashes in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
Local media reported clashes throughout the day on Saturday between police and activists of the rights movement (JAAC).
The area has been witnessing unrest for many days as the valley observed complete strike on the call of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
Media reports say a sub-inspector succumbed to gunshot wounds in Islamgarh. The police force was deployed in the area to stop a rally from Kotli to Muzaffarabad—the capital of AJ&K.
The violent clashes erupted on Saturday after the police arrested few leaders and workers of the JAAC, according to reports. It is said the police raided the houses of JAAC and arrested some 70 activists on Wednesday night.
JAAC is comprised of traders and supporters of different political parties. They are demanding subsidised flour and share of the state in hydropower projects and the subsidy on electricity tariff.
A complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike had been observed in the state on Friday. Clashes between the police and locals turned further violent on Saturday and the situation is said to be uncontrolled till the filing of this report.
Reports say over 60 policemen, officials of revenue department sustained injuries in the clashes.
Authorities say they tried to calm the situation, exercising maximum restraint. AJK finance minister said the state government is ready for talks with the protestors.
PTI leaders including former president Dr Arif Alvi have expressed concern over the situation, demanding the federal government in Islamabad and the government of the AJK address the demands. They linked the Islamabad interference in ouster of the PTI government in AJK and tactic to resolve the issues with use of force were direct result of the prevailing situation in the state.
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