Tensions Flare Again in Azad Kashmir, 2 Killed, Several Vehicles were set on fire

Internet service suspended in Muzaffarabad and other districts after brief restoration

Tensions flared again in various districts of Azad Kashmir, with internet service suspended in Muzaffarabad and other districts after a brief restoration. Two people were killed and five injured in clashes between police and protesters, and the heirs staged a sit-in outside the CMH with the bodies.

Normal life remained disrupted for the fourth day in Azad Kashmir, with the Azad Kashmir government issuing a notification reducing the price of flour by Rs. 1100 per bag and fixing the price of 20 kg wheat at Rs. 1000.

The government also issued a notification reducing electricity tariffs, with rates for domestic consumers set at Rs. 3 per unit for up to 100 units, Rs. 5 per unit for 100 to 300 units, and Rs. 6 per unit for over 300 units.

For commercial consumers, the rate was fixed at Rs. 10 per unit for up to 300 units and Rs. 15 per unit for over 300 units. However, despite all these measures, the situation did not improve.

Life returned to normal for a few hours, but then riots broke out in the city again and Chhata Chowk became a battleground, after which internet service was suspended in Muzaffarabad.

Protesters pelted stones at police outside the Legislative Assembly, and police retaliated with a lathi charge. Two people were killed and five injured in the stone-pelting and firing.

In the aftermath, protesters set fire to four vehicles, including two ambulances.

Convoys reaching Muzaffarabad began gathering at Eidgah Ground, where leaders of the Awami Action Committee will address the gathering.

It is worth noting that the government had issued a notification reducing electricity and flour prices on the demand of the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee.

Addressing a press conference in Islamabad, Azad Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq said that no one can deny cheap bread and electricity, and that there was no intention to stop the peaceful struggle of the people, neither before nor now.

He said that the federal government had provided a hefty amount to fulfill the demands of the people of Azad Kashmir, and that this relief for the Kashmiri people was not temporary but permanent.

Earlier, Prime Minister of Pakistan Shehbaz Sharif had called an emergency meeting today and was briefed on the situation in Azad Kashmir, and approved the immediate release of Rs. 23 billion, after which the Azad Kashmir government issued a notification reducing electricity and flour prices.

Important Notes:

• The protests are being organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).
• The main demands of the protesters are subsidized wheat flour, cheaper electricity, and an end to the privileges enjoyed by the elite class.
• The government has announced a reduction in electricity and flour prices, but the protesters are not satisfied with these measures.
• The situation remains tense and volatile.