Why POK is on the boil: India blames Pakistan's decades-long systemic exploitation
The government said India expects the global community to take note of the situation and hold Pakistan responsible for what he termed 'egregious abuses and misdeeds' in POK.
The government on Tuesday asserted that the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) were a direct result of Pakistan's decades-long "systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression" and called on the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for the human rights abuses in the region.
Responding to a question at a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the unrest in POK stemmed from longstanding grievances of the local population living under what India described as Pakistan's "illegal and forcible occupation".
"The ongoing protests in POK are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation," Jaiswal said.
POK has witnessed widespread protests in recent weeks over rising living costs, administrative neglect, political discrimination and atrocities against minorities. Reports have also emerged of clashes between protesters and security forces, with allegations of police brutality resulting in deaths and injuries.
Accusing Pakistan of suppressing dissent instead of addressing public concerns, Jaiswal alleged that the Pakistani state had resorted to excessive force against demonstrators.
"Rather than addressing the legitimate grievances of the local populace, the Pakistani state has responded with extreme police brutality, including against helpless women and children, blocking essential supplies, including food and medicine, enforcing internet blackouts, and deploying lethal force against unarmed civilians that has resulted in tragic fatalities," he said.
The MEA spokesperson said India expects the global community to take note of the situation and hold Pakistan responsible for what he termed "egregious abuses and misdeeds" in POK.
"We expect the international community to hold Pakistan fully accountable for these egregious abuses and misdeeds," Jaiswal added.
The latest wave of unrest was triggered by opposition to the reservation of 12 seats in the POK's Assembly for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir residing elsewhere in Pakistan. Protesters argue that the arrangement dilutes the political voice of local residents.
This snowballed into a mass anti-government movement, with protesters raising a range of grievances, from corruption and poor governance to soaring inflation and economic hardship.
Large demonstrations have been reported across Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Mirpur and other parts of the region. According to news agency Reuters, the territory has experienced its deadliest unrest in years, with at least 24 people killed during nearly two weeks of protests, prompting a region-wide shutdown that disrupted normal life.
Authorities responded by deploying additional security personnel, suspending internet services in some areas and launching a crackdown on protest leaders. The government banned the Joint Awami Action Committee and detained several of its members, while sedition charges were filed against some leaders.
The government on Tuesday asserted that the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) were a direct result of Pakistan's decades-long "systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights and administrative oppression" and called on the international community to hold Islamabad accountable for the human rights abuses in the region.
Responding to a question at a weekly media briefing, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the unrest in POK stemmed from longstanding grievances of the local population living under what India described as Pakistan's "illegal and forcible occupation".
"The ongoing protests in POK are a direct consequence of Pakistan's decades-long systemic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation," Jaiswal said.
POK has witnessed widespread protests in recent weeks over rising living costs, administrative neglect, political discrimination and atrocities against minorities. Reports have also emerged of clashes between protesters and security forces, with allegations of police brutality resulting in deaths and injuries.
Accusing Pakistan of suppressing dissent instead of addressing public concerns, Jaiswal alleged that the Pakistani state had resorted to excessive force against demonstrators.
"Rather than addressing the legitimate grievances of the local populace, the Pakistani state has responded with extreme police brutality, including against helpless women and children, blocking essential supplies, including food and medicine, enforcing internet blackouts, and deploying lethal force against unarmed civilians that has resulted in tragic fatalities," he said.
The MEA spokesperson said India expects the global community to take note of the situation and hold Pakistan responsible for what he termed "egregious abuses and misdeeds" in POK.
"We expect the international community to hold Pakistan fully accountable for these egregious abuses and misdeeds," Jaiswal added.
The latest wave of unrest was triggered by opposition to the reservation of 12 seats in the POK's Assembly for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir residing elsewhere in Pakistan. Protesters argue that the arrangement dilutes the political voice of local residents.
This snowballed into a mass anti-government movement, with protesters raising a range of grievances, from corruption and poor governance to soaring inflation and economic hardship.
Large demonstrations have been reported across Muzaffarabad, Rawalakot, Mirpur and other parts of the region. According to news agency Reuters, the territory has experienced its deadliest unrest in years, with at least 24 people killed during nearly two weeks of protests, prompting a region-wide shutdown that disrupted normal life.
Authorities responded by deploying additional security personnel, suspending internet services in some areas and launching a crackdown on protest leaders. The government banned the Joint Awami Action Committee and detained several of its members, while sedition charges were filed against some leaders.
