Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) has been hit by civilian unrest and a massive crackdown has been launched by the authorities to quell protests that have spread across the occupied region.
A police officer was killed and 90 others were injured in fresh clashes on Saturday.
The protests that started against inflation, high taxation, and electricity shortage have turned into a movement for rights and freedom across PoK.
Protesters have been shouting slogans for “azadi (freedom)”. They clashed with police and security agencies in Muzaffarabad and others districts.
The protests are spearheaded by Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, with traders are on the forefront.
Dozens of leaders and members of the Action Committee have been arrested after they called the strike on Friday.
“There is going to be a complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike observed across PoK and specifically in Muzaffarabad against the police brutality against our peaceful protesters in Dadyal,” said Saukat Nawaz Mir, chairman of the Traders Association Muzaffarabad and member of the Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee, news agency reported.
“I call on everyone to come out today and raise your voice for your rights,” he added as videos of locals demanding freedom from the Pakistani establishment went viral.
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