At least 11 people were killed in violent clashes between police and supporters of a banned organization in Pakistan-administered Kashmir ahead of a planned political rally, according to officials on Monday.
The unrest erupted over a pre-scheduled mass gathering set for Tuesday, organized to press demands for political rights and representation in the regional legislature. The violence, which began on Sunday, also left dozens of people, including police personnel and civilians, seriously injured.
The tensions followed a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court of Pakistan-administered Kashmir, which declared that 12 legislative seats reserved for Kashmiri refugees living in Pakistan are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without amending the constitution.
The ruling sparked opposition from the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has long called for the removal of the refugee seats, arguing that refugees wield excessive influence over local politics.
Speaking to Reuters, Poonch Division Commissioner Sardar Wahid Khan said four police officers and one civilian passerby were killed after gunmen opened fire on security personnel. He added that six protesters later died during retaliatory action by law enforcement agencies.
Regional police chief Liaqat Malik said 23 security officials and 50 protesters were injured in the violence, while at least 30 people have been arrested.
Authorities said armed protesters in Rawalakot first opened sustained fire on security forces and later blockaded the Combined Military Hospital (CMH), disrupting medical services. Security personnel eventually dispersed the demonstrators and brought the situation under control.
Police also accused protesters of setting fire to public and private property, causing extensive damage. However, JAAC leader Shaukat Nawaz Mir, in a video message posted on social media, described the incident as a “massacre” carried out by the state and urged supporters to attend the scheduled June 9 rally.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, the regional government last Friday designated the Joint Awami Action Committee as a banned organization under anti-terrorism legislation.
Authorities have also advised domestic and foreign tourists to leave the region before Tuesday as a precautionary measure. Rejecting allegations of a massacre, Poonch police officials said the state was merely trying to restore law and order after protesters allegedly launched attacks using automatic weapons and petrol bombs.
Source: Al Jazeera.