India reaffirms J&K and Ladakh as integral, MEA condemns Pakistan’s violent PoK protests crackdown, as JKJAAC pushes reform amid growing unrest.
India has called for accountability from Islamabad for what it called “horrific” human rights breaches and has strongly condemned the recent violence in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK). At a press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, a spokesman for the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), stated: “We have heard about protests in several parts of PoK, including violent acts by Pakistani soldiers against defenseless residents. This instability is a logical result of Pakistan’s repressive policies in the area.
Sparks of Unrest in Several Districts
The demonstrations, which have became more intense in the last week, are based on widespread complaints about systemic abuse by local officials, lack of essential services, and economic hardship. Security personnel responded harshly, causing fatalities and increasing popular ire, according to eyewitness accounts from Muzaffarabad, the scene of the violence.
Three young men who were allegedly killed by Pakistani soldiers had funerals that drew thousands of people, underscoring the growing anger. Markets, shops, and transportation services have all come to a standstill in various regions, with Muzaffarabad witnessing especially sizable crowds of protesters and mourners.
JKJAAC Is at the Front of the Rights Movement
The protest leaders, the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), have put up a 38-point demand charter. Political reforms, subsidized wheat flour, lower electricity rates, free healthcare and education, and the elimination of benefits for public servants are a few of them. Negotiations won’t jeopardize the rights of PoK people, JKJAAC leaders have pledged to keep fighting until these demands are fulfilled.
A Government Delegation Speaks with Leaders of Protests
PPP leaders Raja Pervez Ashraf and Qamar Zaman Kaira, former PoK president Sardar Masood Khan, and federal ministers Ahsan Iqbal, Amir Muqam, Sardar Muhammad Yousaf, Rana Sanaullah, and Dr. Tariq Fazal Chaudhry were among the eight members of the high-level government delegation that Pakistani authorities sent in response to the unrest. The group started discussing the ongoing problem with JKJAAC delegates, escorted by PoK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq.
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Protest caravans have persisted in organizing in spite of a lockdown and internet outage, expressing popular disapproval and overcoming obstacles. Before engaging in serious talks, JKJAAC leaders have called for the prompt arrest and unrelenting punishment of those who killed unarmed demonstrators in Muzaffarabad, Dhirkot, and other locations.
The Response of MEA condemns to Global Events
Randhir Jaiswal, the MEA spokesperson, discussed various foreign policy issues in addition to the PoK crisis. In response to Bangladesh’s accusations that India was complicit in anti-Hindu violence, Jaiswal called the accusations “baseless” and said, “The interim government of Bangladesh is shifting responsibility because it is unable to maintain peace and order. Local extremist organizations that commit acts of violence against minorities must be examined and investigated.
He restated India’s position on its northern territories, saying that “Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral parts of India and will remain so forever.
“India fortifies diplomatic and security ties
Jaiswal emphasized recent engagement with Canada in relation to bilateral security cooperation after the Lawrence Bishnoi Gang was designated as a terrorist organization. He pointed out that the National Security Advisors of Canada and India held fruitful talks on September 18th, with the goal of enhancing their current collaboration.
Earlier in September, while attending the UN General Assembly in New York, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul met with India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The UN Security Council reform was the main topic of the discussion, which also included the G4 foreign ministers. It emphasized the importance of the Council reflecting current geopolitical realities.
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Wadephul’s tour to India included agreements between the two countries to strengthen their educational links, including as the creation of a new bilateral consultation mechanism on the Indo-Pacific area and the provision of free short-term visas for student exchanges. Trade, investment, defense, technology, green development, and counterterrorism cooperation were also discussed, in addition to international topics including the crisis between Russia and Ukraine and Middle East events.