AJK cop shot dead as protests against inflation turn violent

MIRPUR/MUZAFFARABAD, AJK: A cop was shot dead after clashes between the police and Awami Action Committee (AAC) protesters as demonstrations against high electricity bills and taxes entered the second day in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), on Saturday. Markets, trade centres, offices and schools and restaurants remained closed across the AJK due to the AAC’s call for a shutter down and wheel-jam strike across the state to protest the electricity price hike and taxes.

A large police force was deputed on all the ways leading to Madina Market, where the AAC had organised a reception for the long march participants.

The routes leading to Muzaffarabad were blocked with barricades at Shahrah-e-Srinagar, while police contingents remained present on the thoroughfare.

The day dawned with large number of participants from Bhimbar, Mirpur and Kotli marching towards Muzaffarabad in groups.

The protests turned violent when police and long march participants clashed near Islam Garh. Police said the protesters opened fire on them as they tried to block their way, which led to Mirpur Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Adnan Qureshi being shot in the chest. The cop succumbed to his injuries after being shifted to hospital, while three protesters were also severely injured.

Meanwhile, several other cops and protesters also got injured during the teargas shelling by the police and stone pelting by demonstrators in Kotli. The violent protesters damaged multiple vehicles, including a magistrate’s car at the Poonch-Kotli Road.

Earlier, clashes were reported from Shah Sultan Bridge, Tanga stand and Aziz Chowk in Muzaffarabad as well.

Police launched a crackdown against the protesters after the events of violence, arresting dozens of individuals in the AJK capital.

On Friday, more than 40 people, including 11 policemen, were injured as a result of stone pelting and clashes. The AJK government had banned public gatherings, rallies and processions in all districts in the wake of AAC protests, with Section 144 imposed in the entire region.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari has convened a meeting on issues concerning Azad Jummu and Kashmir today (Sunday). According to sources, President Asif Ali Zardari also asked the stakeholders to bring their suggestions to resolve the issue.

Sources said it is expected that federal ministers, President of Azad Jummu and Kashmir Barrister Sultan Mehmood Chaudhry, Prime Minister of AJK Chaudhry Anwarul Haq and other stakeholders will attend the meeting.

Sources said leaders of the Azad Kashmir PPP and Azad Kashmir ministers belonging to PPP are expected to meet President Asif Ali Zardari on Sunday.

Sources said the Parliamentary party of AJK PPP had sought time from President Zardari.

Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq has said his government is ready to talk to agitators protesting against high electricity bills and taxes, saying justified relief can be provided.

The offer was made at a press conference late on Friday night after the second day of violent protests in Mirpur, where a cop was shot dead after clashes between the police and Awami Action Committee (AAC) protesters.

Markets, offices and schools and restaurants remained closed across AJK due to the AAC’s call for a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike to protest the electricity price hike and taxes.

PM Haq said the AJK coalition government is intact and social media reports about deputy commissioners’ resignations are fake.

He said the government could cut the development budget in consultation with the parliamentary committee to provide relief to the people, saying that they were determined to resolve issues through dialogue.

He said the AAC had announced a long march for the acceptance of its demands. He invited the AAC to the negotiating table and said the government ensured that no force was used to deal with violent protests although there were some miscreants among the protesters