British Kashmiris protest outside Pakistan consulate over PoJK killings

British Kashmiris held protests in Birmingham and Bradford against alleged killings and human rights violations by Pakistani security forces in Rawalakot, PoJK. Demonstrators demanded an immediate end to the violence and oppression in the region.

Protests in UK Against PoJK Violence

British Kashmiris on Tuesday protested against the reported killings and violence in Rawalakot, PoJK, by placing their footwear outside the Pakistan consulate in Birmingham, United Kingdom. ' Shouting anti-Pakistan Army slogans, they demanded that the violence against Kashmiris in Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) stop immediately amid reports of multiple killings in Rawalakot by Pakistan's Security Forces. Through this demonstration, they expressed their deep anguish, anger, and outrage over what they described as the ongoing oppression and human rights violations in the region.

Earlier, Kashmiri activists also held a protest outside the Pakistan Consulate in Bradford on Tuesday against the "atrocities committed by Pakistan" in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). The protesters raised the issue of human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), following deaths during demonstrations in the region. The protesters raised concerns over security forces opening fire during protests in the Rawalakot and Mirpur areas over the past two days.

Escalating Tensions and Violence in PoJK

Over the past two days, several people have reportedly been killed in firing by security forces in the Rawalakot and Mirpur areas of PoJK while they were protesting and demanding their basic rights. The demonstrations were organised against the denial of human rights to the people of Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The protests emerged as the region witnessed escalating tensions during the 52-day-long protest movement, with demonstrators demanding the release of detainees, withdrawal of cases against protesters, and acceptance of their broader demands.

JAAC March and Deadly Clashes

Protesters also unequivocally denounced indiscriminate firing by Pakistani forces on demonstrators in Rawalakot as thousands of people prepared to march towards Muzaffarabad following the collapse of talks between the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the authorities on Monday. The JAAC had set a 1 pm deadline on July 27 for the authorities to issue an official notification accepting its demands, warning that failure to do so would result in thousands of protesters marching from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad.

Thousands of people subsequently gathered in Rawalakot and began the march after no agreement was reached. Following this, the Pakistani security forces opened fire on the demonstrators in the region. At least 14 people were killed and nearly two dozen injured during the brutality on Monday evening, eyewitnesses associated with the movement claimed. JAAC claimed that the number of people killed between June 5 and July 28 had risen to 67, referring to the deceased as "martyrs" and vowing to continue its movement. The claimed death toll has not been independently verified.

Accusations of Political Repression

Protest leaders in PoJK have complained that the current electoral process has been manipulated to influence outcomes, undermining the will of the people and weakening democratic institutions and also accused the authorities of restricting political dissent through arrests, intimidation and heavy security deployment.

The unrest in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) has spread to Mirpur after the deadly violence in Rawalakot, with several social media accounts alleging that Pakistani security forces opened fire on civilians during fresh protests. According to reports, several protesters have been killed in the incident. (ANI)

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