AJK Information Secretary Mohammad Rashid Hanif and DIG Irfan Masood Kashfi address a press conference in Muzaffarabad on Tuesday. SCREENGRAB
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday accused the banned Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of attempting to sabotage the election process by violence and vowed that law enforcement agencies would maintain the writ of the state at all costs.
Addressing a press conference alongside Deputy Inspector General of Police Irfan Masood Kashfi, AJK Information Secretary Mohammad Rashid Hanif said the democratic process was continuing in Azad Kashmir through the ongoing elections and that the first phase had been successfully held in Mirpur Division.
He alleged that the banned JAAC had attempted to sabotage the election process, saying disruptive elements had tried to keep the public away from the polls. Still, the election results reflected the people’s confidence in the democratic process.
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“The participation of the people is proof that they want all their issues to be resolved through the democratic process,” the information secretary said.
Hanif said that after the election process in Mirpur Division concluded, disruptive elements carried out activities in Rawalakot to influence the next phase of the elections.
“It is the state’s fundamental responsibility to maintain law and order and to continue the democratic process. The state will not only fulfil this responsibility in every possible way but also has the full capacity to do so,” he added.
He further alleged that they had misled innocent people into joining their protest.
“We appeal to the public to distance themselves from these elements, and announcements will also be made by the government at the local level so that people can stay away from them, allowing the state to establish law and order, which is its responsibility,” he said, urging people not to believe or share information from unverified sources.
Hanif also alleged that the JAAC was using women and children as human shields to further its objectives.
He said videos circulating on social media were creating the impression that the movement was aimed at securing public rights, but claimed that was not the case.
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Speaking at the press conference, DIG Kashfi alleged that those spreading unrest under the guise of protest possessed sophisticated weapons and included armed elements inciting attacks on law enforcement agencies.
“Last night, one Rangers personnel was martyred in their firing, while five people, including an officer, were injured,” he said.
Kashfi said law enforcement agencies had exercised considerable restraint, but alleged that armed elements had now begun carrying out direct attacks. He further claimed that they initiated the firing, while security forces responded only in self-defence and to protect the public.
He alleged that the armed elements possessed modern weapons and resources, adding that investigations were also under way into those facilitating them.
“No one should be under the misconception that they can seize control of Rawalakot or any other area through the use of force. Law enforcement agencies will maintain the writ of the state at all costs,” the DIG said.
Sanaullah links AJK violence to banned militant groups
Separately, leaders of the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz and the Pakistan Peoples Party expressed concern over the violence in the region and called for action against those responsible.
Speaking on private television programme Capital Talk, PML-N leader Rana Sanaullah alleged that banned elements were behind the unrest.
Read More: HRCP calls for impartial, independent probe into reports of deaths in Rawalakot clashes
“There are trained members of banned and terrorist organisations in AJK who possess weapons. They have no political demands and no issue relating to public welfare,” he said.
“They want to use ordinary people as human shields to further their agenda. If law enforcement agencies have taken or will take action there, they have no other option to enforce the law,” Sanaullah added.
Speaking on the programme, PPP leader Nasir Hussain Shah said those responsible for spreading violence should be dealt with strictly, but innocent people and women who had been provoked into joining the protests should be protected.
“Action must certainly be taken against those who speak against the country or incite the public,” he said.
