Massive protests break out in POK over huge inflation, lack of essential goods
Massive civil agitations are taking place in multiple regions of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (POK) over rising inflation and the “step-motherly” treatment the Pakistan government is meting out to the people of the region.
The Sunday Guardian has accessed exclusive videos and images of a large number of people coming out on the street seeking reduction in the price of flour, which as per locals, has risen to Rs 500 a kilogram in the onemonth between September end and November end.
The protest, a local source said, has been happening sporadically since November end, but picked up pace from earlier this week as inflation is continuing to rise and the supply of essential commodities in the region are decreasing.
On Wednesday morning, 13 January, protests were held in Palandri, Sudhanoti district, which is less than 100 km from Pakistan’s capital, Islamabad. Similar protests, as visible from the videos accessed by The Sunday Guardian, were seen in various pockets of Poonch district (POK) including Azad Pattan, Hajeera, Rawalakot and Mong, also called Mang.
Similar instances of enraged unarmed civilians, mostly male, coming out on the streets, were happening until Thursday evening in Thorar, Trarkhel, Bagh and Kotli.
According to local sources, the protesters are being dealt with by police officials of Bagh district, which was earlier a part of Poonch district. “Many of the protesters from Bagh, who were moving towards Poonch, have been arrested,” a local source said.
In one of the videos, a large number of protesters are seen at Azad Pattan bridge, which connects POK to Pakistan.
It is pertinent to mention here that last year in July, Pakistan and China had signed an agreement for the 700 MW Azad Pattan hydel power project on Jhelum river in Sudhnoti district of POK. The $1.5-billion project is the second power project under the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In the videos, the protesters are seen being lathi-charged and being hit with canisters of tear gas shells. After some time, the protesters start pelting stones at the police personnel.
Local sources confirmed that at least 150 of the gravely injured, many of whom are