Days of violent protests in Pakistan-administered Kashmir have left nine people dead, including six civilians and three police officers, as tensions over political and economic grievances continue to escalate.
Protests and Clashes
The unrest began late last week when demonstrators, led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), took to the streets demanding electoral reforms, lower utility costs, and an end to elite privileges. The protests quickly spread across several districts, paralyzing daily life with strikes and road blockades.
Clashes erupted when protesters attempted to march on government buildings. Police responded with tear gas, batons, and water cannons, while demonstrators hurled stones and, in some cases, carried sticks. The violence left dozens injured on both sides.
Funerals and Public Anger
On Sunday, thousands gathered in Muzaffarabad for the funerals of those killed, turning the ceremonies into fresh demonstrations of defiance. Residents accuse authorities of using excessive force, while officials insist security forces acted to prevent further chaos.
Government Response
The regional government, led by Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, has opened negotiations with JAAC leaders after dispatching a federal delegation. Officials have pledged to review demands, including reducing electricity tariffs and curbing government perks, but protesters remain skeptical after similar promises went unfulfilled in past years.
Wider Context
The crisis underscores long-standing frustrations in the territory, where economic hardship, governance failures, and political exclusion have fueled repeated waves of unrest. Pakistan-administered Kashmir, home to roughly four million people, remains a disputed region claimed by both Pakistan and India since 1947.
Whether the latest concessions will calm tensions or spark further mobilization remains uncertain, but the deaths have deepened public anger and placed the government under mounting pressure to deliver tangible reforms.
Protesters-Picture by-Putnik
