Addressing the ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the excessive force used against civilians.
Speaking at a weekly press conference, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India called on the international community to hold Pakistan accountable for its actions in BOC.
“The ongoing protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir are a direct result of Pakistan’s decades-long systematic exploitation, denial of basic rights, and administrative oppression in the territories under its forced and illegal occupation,” Jaiswal said.
A MEA spokesperson condemned the use of excessive police brutality to curb protests, including action against helpless people, including women and children.
“Basic supplies like food and medicine have been blocked, the internet has been cut off, and lethal force has been used against unarmed civilians, resulting in many tragic deaths, as you know. We expect and hope that the international community will hold Pakistan fully accountable for these grave violations,” Jaiswal added.
According to reports, the protests in PoK were driven by economic hardship. The protests, which demand that the Pakistani government be held accountable, demand subsidization of the prices of wheat flour, electricity, and more. The protests also oppose the controversial court ruling that upheld 12 seats reserved for migrant settlers in Pakistan. Similar demonstrations were also reported in the area last year.
However, the latest wave of demonstrations has been led by the Pakistani government’s ban on the Joint Awami Action Committee under anti-terrorism laws.
In the wake of the ban, JAAC leader Sardar Aman Khan also sought help from India.
“We need India’s help. There is a shortage of rations… and we need your help,” Khan was heard saying in a video that went viral on social media.
HT was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the video, which was reported to be from the June 30 rally.
Meanwhile, miles away from PoK, members of the Jammu and Kashmir community also carried out protests in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, calling on the US government to intervene amid the ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region.
