India has reacted to the open firing of innocent civilians and protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has criticized Pakistan, stating that the ministry is monitoring the issue.
MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We are continuously seeing a series of fake news and videos from Pakistan. This is a desperate attempt by Pakistan to hide its failures and divert attention from its human rights violations. There are reports of horrific police brutality in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, in which several protesters have been killed and many others injured. We hope the international community will hold Pakistan accountable for its atrocities and misdeeds.”
Amid the deteriorating situation in PoK, former Jammu and Kashmir DGP SP Vaidya told NDTV that the situation in PoK remains very serious. This is a genocide of civilians. This is like Jallianwala Bagh. Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is playing the role of General Dyer in this incident. He is the so-called Field Marshal. He is ordering the firing on unarmed people, demanding that flour be made cheaper or electricity be cheaper. These are legitimate demands, but Munir is ordering the firing.
In fact, for some time, the people of PoK have been protesting against the Shahbaz government and its puppet government in PoK. This voice of protest did not sit well with the Pakistani rulers. To silence the simmering voice of protest, the Shahbaz government declared the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee a terrorist organization.
The Pakistani government has consistently treated the people of this region step-motherly. The region’s natural resources have been usurped, and in return, they have received only oppression and atrocities.
Protests in PoK intensified when the administration began taking action against activists associated with the JAAC. The administration reportedly banned the JAAC and implemented several security measures ahead of the proposed “long march” on June 9. Leaders associated with the movement allege that internet services were also shut down throughout PoK on the night of June 5. This severely affected communication systems.