Strike Shuts Down Kashmir Amid Rising Tensions
MUZAFFARABAD, Pakistan — The region of Pakistan-administered Kashmir saw a complete halt in daily activities on Tuesday as shops and public transport ceased operations. This came in response to a strike call from the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a group recently banned due to its involvement in violent protests.
The call to action by the JAAC was prompted by fatal clashes in Rawalakot on Sunday, which resulted in seven deaths. These clashes erupted after the local Supreme Court upheld the constitutional protection of 12 legislative seats designated for Kashmiri refugees residing in Pakistan, a decision the JAAC opposes.
Formed in 2003, the JAAC advocates for expanded political rights for Kashmiris and the removal of these refugee seats. The group argues that the seats disproportionately benefit individuals living outside the Kashmir territory.
Witnesses in Muzaffarabad and surrounding areas reported desolate markets and bus stations, though it remained unclear if the public was striking in solidarity or avoiding potential unrest.
To curb further disturbances, authorities have reinforced security with additional police forces and suspended internet services in major cities. Thousands of JAAC supporters gathered in Mirpur, planning to join a march from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad, led by JAAC leaders Shaukat Nawaz Mir and Mehran Arshad Khawaja.
In response, the regional government has charged Mir and Khawaja with sedition, accusing them of inciting rebellion. A 10 million rupee reward ($35,000) was announced for information leading to the capture of four wanted JAAC members, with assurances of confidentiality for informants.
During a raid in Muzaffarabad, police detained five suspects and confiscated weapons and grenades. Authorities allege connections between these individuals and a foreign intelligence agency, though specifics remain undisclosed.
The regional government has attributed Sunday’s violence—the most severe in recent years—to armed JAAC supporters who allegedly fired upon security forces. Similar conflicts last year led to the abduction and mistreatment of police officers.
The JAAC was banned last week amid concerns for public safety, resulting in numerous arrests of its supporters. Despite the tensions, regional Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore expressed willingness to engage in dialogue, noting that many of the JAAC’s demands were previously considered, except the contentious issue of refugee seats and government official benefits, which require legislative action.
The refugee seats, intended for people displaced from Indian-controlled Kashmir, have sparked debate over their influence in local governance. The Kashmir region remains divided between Pakistan and India, both of which claim it entirely and have historically clashed over its control.
With elections approaching next month, political discussions intensify, particularly regarding the future of the refugee seats following the court’s decision.
