TTAP urges end to violence and talks with protesters amid AJK unrest

The opposition alliance Tehreek-e-Tahafuz-e-Ayin-e-Pakistan (TTAP) has condemned the alleged use of force by state authorities against unarmed civilians in Azad Jammu and Kashmir. In a statement issued on Monday, it called for an immediate halt to violence and for meaningful negotiations with protesters. The Express Tribune and Minute Mirror reported the statement.

TTAP said Rawalakot is gripped by unrest amid alleged clashes between security forces and supporters of the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), and that casualties have been reported. It said the government first chose to negotiate with JAAC but later decided to suppress the movement.

The alliance said a high-level TTAP delegation travelling to AJK to meet protesters was stopped at Kahuta and not allowed to proceed. It demanded an immediate explanation and unrestricted access to affected people and protesters for its delegation and other representatives.

TTAP also demanded that the bodies of all those allegedly killed be handed to their families without delay, and that transparent and impartial investigations be held into civilian deaths and the use of force. It asked for immediate medical treatment for the injured, access to justice for those arrested and compensation for damage to public and private property. In its statement TTAP said: "Firing on unarmed civilians, the loss of human lives and the suppression of public voices are unacceptable under any circumstances." It added that it would raise its voice at every constitutional and legal forum.

Separately, the AJK Police spokesperson said Sindh Rangers Naik Bostan Khan, injured in firing at a police post in Rawalakot on 5 November, died of his injuries on Sunday. He belonged to Kohat district and had been deployed with AJK Police at its request to maintain law and order. AJK Police expressed grief and condolences to his family and said those involved in attacks on law enforcement personnel would be brought to justice. Police said: "Such cowardly acts cannot undermine the morale of law enforcement agencies."

The Advisory Council of JKJAAC expressed grave concern over the tense situation in Rawalakot and called for an immediate end to firing. It demanded an independent investigation into deaths, injuries and arrests, and renewed talks between the government and the committee. It also asked for return of bodies, medical care for the injured, restoration of mobile and internet services and a verified list of detainees.

The council proposed an independent unarmed delegation to visit Rawalakot and issue a preliminary public report within 48 hours, and a first government-JAAC meeting within 24 hours at a neutral venue.

Minute Mirror also reported that JAAC's movement has demanded abolition of 12 refugee-reserved seats in the AJK Legislative Assembly. It said the AJK government banned JAAC on 6 June before a planned long march, and that the government said 35 of the committee's 38 demands had been accepted or implemented. It added that the government reinstated 177 FIRs against JAAC members on 11 June and that authorities accused JAAC of violating an agreement by resuming street protests.