Tarar alleges proscribed JAAC behind AJK unrest, claims group backed by Indian funding

Information Minister Attaullah Tarar on Tuesday condemned the recent violence in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), alleging that the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) was disrupting peace in the region and involved militant elements pursuing a foreign agenda backed by Indian funding.

Addressing a press conference alongside Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry, Tarar accused the JAAC of resorting to violence, alleging that the group did not accept Kashmir's "unbreakable bond" with Pakistan and was attempting to undermine peace in the region.

“The only reason for this is that the people of Kashmir rejected their violent actions and chose the electoral process. That was unacceptable to them,” the minister said, adding that once they realised the elections had been successful, free, fair and peaceful, they attempted to disturb the peace through violence.

Also Read: Rana Sanaullah defends AJK polls as 'free and fair'

“We have been saying from day one that this is not a peaceful protest. This is a violent group. They are militants who are pursuing a foreign agenda and operating with Indian funding while trying to destabilise peace in Kashmir,” he said.

Tarar announced the federal government's full support for the AJK government's stance that it would not allow agitators to disrupt law and order or create unrest in the region.

“No one should be allowed to disturb law and order or attempt to create unrest through violence during the election process,” he said, adding: “We know their agenda. They are militants who want to damage the Kashmir cause.”

Speaking at the press conference, Talal Chaudhry assured the AJK government of the federal government's full support in ensuring the rule of law, maintaining peace and protecting the lives and property of the people.

“Whatever support the AJK government requires from the federal government and its institutions to safeguard the Kashmiris' right to vote and make their own decisions will be fully provided,” he said.

Referring to the JAAC's 38 demands, Chaudhry said 37 of them had already been accepted and implementation had begun, yet the group still launched protests. He questioned the timing of the demonstrations.

“Initially, they tried to stop the election schedule in AJK so that they could give the impression that the government, which talks about a referendum in Kashmir, wanted to rob them of their right to vote,” Chaudhry said.

When that failed, he alleged, JAAC members began organising long marches, sit-ins, strikes, road blockades and other disruptive activities across the region.

“Their last desire was that the people of Mirpur would not come out to vote and would support them, but when people came out, and turnout increased at polling stations, why then did the unrest occur?” he asked.

“This is not a protest movement anymore,” he said while sharing details of the weapons allegedly recovered from JAAC protesters. “What kind of protest is this? This cannot be a protest. This is something else in the guise of a protest — this is militancy.”

He said that from now on, those taking part in such activities would be treated as perpetrators.

“The state of AJK will use the powers granted by law against those perpetrators. To avoid this, we urge ordinary people to stay away from them,” Chaudhry said.

AJK govt says JAAC sought to disrupt election process

Earlier, the AJK government accused the banned JAAC of attempting to sabotage the election process by violence and vowed that law enforcement agencies would maintain the writ of the state at all costs.

Addressing a press conference alongside Deputy Inspector General of Police Irfan Masood Kashfi, AJK Information Secretary Mohammad Rashid Hanif said the democratic process was continuing in Azad Kashmir through the ongoing elections and that the first phase had been successfully held in Mirpur Division.

He alleged that the banned JAAC had attempted to sabotage the election process, saying disruptive elements had tried to keep the public away from the polls. Still, the election results reflected the people's confidence in the democratic process.

Read: Bilawal calls on govt, protesters to form truth commission over AJK unrest

“The participation of the people is proof that they want all their issues to be resolved through the democratic process,” the information secretary said.

Hanif said that after the election process in Mirpur Division concluded, disruptive elements carried out activities in Rawalakot to influence the next phase of the elections.

“It is the state's fundamental responsibility to maintain law and order and to continue the democratic process. The state will not only fulfil this responsibility in every possible way but also has the full capacity to do so,” he added.

He further alleged that they had misled innocent people into joining their protest.

“We appeal to the public to distance themselves from these elements, and announcements will also be made by the government at the local level so that people can stay away from them, allowing the state to establish law and order, which is its responsibility,” he said, urging people not to believe or share information from unverified sources.

Hanif also alleged that the JAAC was using women and children as human shields to further its objectives.

He said videos circulating on social media were creating the impression that the movement was aimed at securing public rights, but claimed that was not the case.

Also Read: PML-N secures strong lead in AJK polls, wins 9 of 13 seats in Mirpur as unofficial results pour in

Speaking at the press conference, DIG Kashfi alleged that those spreading unrest under the guise of protest possessed sophisticated weapons and included armed elements inciting attacks on law enforcement agencies.

“Last night, one Rangers personnel was martyred in their firing, while five people, including an officer, were injured,” he said.

Kashfi said law enforcement agencies had exercised considerable restraint, but alleged that armed elements had now begun carrying out direct attacks. He further claimed that they initiated the firing, while security forces responded only in self-defence and to protect the public.

He alleged that the armed elements possessed modern weapons and resources, adding that investigations were also under way into those facilitating them.

“No one should be under the misconception that they can seize control of Rawalakot or any other area through the use of force. Law enforcement agencies will maintain the writ of the state at all costs,” the DIG said.

Sanaullah links AJK violence to banned militant groups

Separately, leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party expressed concern over the violence in the region and called for action against those responsible.

Speaking on private television programme Capital Talk, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah alleged that banned elements were behind the unrest.

Read More: HRCP calls for impartial, independent probe into reports of deaths in Rawalakot clashes

“There are trained members of banned and terrorist organisations in AJK who possess weapons. They have no political demands and no issue relating to public welfare,” he said.

“They want to use ordinary people as human shields to further their agenda. If law enforcement agencies have taken or will take action there, they have no other option to enforce the law,” Sanaullah added.

Speaking on the programme, PPP leader Nasir Hussain Shah said those responsible for spreading violence should be dealt with strictly, but innocent people and women who had been provoked into joining the protests should be protected.

“Action must certainly be taken against those who speak against the country or incite the public,” he said.