JAAC using 'social media to incite people'
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government on Wednesday accused the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of running coordinated social media campaigns based on baseless claims and propaganda to incite people against the state and undermine peace in the region.
Addressing a press conference alongside AJK police spokesperson Irfan Masood Kashfi, Home Secretary Chaudhry Guftar Hussain said that the banned organisation had used women and children as human shields after its leadership failed to fulfil its promises and became indifferent towards its own supporters.
Hussain said such actions were unethical and contrary to Kashmiri values, adding that involving students in agitation was tantamount to jeopardising their future. "JAAC promoted anti-state narratives, incited people against the armed forces, sought to weaken the historic relationship between Pakistan and AJK," he said.
He added that blocked roads restricted public movement and disrupted the daily lives of ordinary citizens. He maintained that these actions demonstrated the group's objective was to damage peace, the economy and law and order rather than protect public rights.
Hussain said the government would continue taking all necessary measures to maintain peace, uphold law and order and ensure the safety of citizens. He also charged that JAAC had repeatedly initiated provocative actions while attempting to place responsibility on state institutions, adding that armed groups associated with the organisation had not hesitated to attack unarmed civilians.
The home secretary further alleged that the group's leadership portrayed itself as a victim whenever its workers were harmed and said the repeated references to the military in JAAC statements raised serious questions about the organisation's objectives and its alleged links with anti-state elements.
Reaffirming that the AJK general elections would be held as scheduled on July 27, Hussain said election campaigning was continuing across the territory and appreciated political parties for carrying out campaign activities in Poonch division as in other parts of the state.
Speaking on the occasion, AJK police spokesperson Irfan Masood Kashfi said protecting life and property remained the foremost responsibility of law-enforcement agencies. Referring to Tuesday's clashes in Poonch division, he said the violence erupted after police moved to remove road blockades.
Kashfi said a road in the Shujaabad Kotera area was reopened on Wednesday morning and vowed that the operation would continue until all roads were cleared. He added that no armed group would be allowed to challenge the writ of the state.
On Tuesday, clashes in Poonch division left two law enforcement personnel martyred and seven JAAC activists dead. A day earlier, the home secretary had said an operation was under way to remove blockades created by the proscribed JAAC at entry and exit points.
Meanwhile, a long round of negotiations between senior government officials and the leadership of the proscribed JAAC concluded successfully on Wednesday, leading to the postponement of the ongoing long march from Rawalakot, the protest movement leaders announced on Tuesday.
According to the highly placed sources, discussions from either side, held in Rawalakot, for several hours and focused on public demands, administrative issues, and the future course of action.
During the talks, government representatives reportedly assured the banned committee leadership that serious consideration would be given to the protesters' demands and that practical steps would be taken to address them.
Following the assurances, the movement's leadership agreed to grant the government time until July 21 to implement its commitments.
Leaders warned that if the demands are not met or promises remain unfulfilled within the stipulated period, the long march will resume on July 22.
Movement representatives clarified that the long march has only been suspended temporarily and has not been called off.
Sit-ins and protest activities taking place at various locations will continue as planned, they said, adding that the public struggle for rights and demands will remain ongoing.
The leadership described the decision as an opportunity for the government to translate its commitments into concrete actions rather than an end to the movement.
They stated that public attention is now focused on the government's next steps and that fulfillment of the promises would be regarded as a significant achievement for the movement.
However, they cautioned that any failure to honor the commitments would prompt protesters to return to the streets in pursuit of their constitutional, democratic, and peaceful rights.
Political and social circles welcomed the successful negotiations and the temporary suspension of the march as a positive development, expressing hope that the grace period would help pave the way for a lasting resolution of the issues. Sources indicated that efforts would continue to maintain an atmosphere of trust between the parties to ensure that the dialogue process yields meaningful results.
Also, a private vehicle of AJK Minister for Tourism Sardar Faheem Rabbani was set on fire by unidentified accused near Awan Abad town in Sudhanti district on Wednesday, police said.
No casualties were reported in the incident.