AJK protests gain momentum after govt shuts down mobile, internet services

A complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike was observed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, 24NewsHD TV reported.

According to the report, protest sit-ins continued in all cities of Azad Kashmir on Tuesday on the call of the Joint Public Action Committee. A large number of people protested on the streets of Azad Kashmir under the aegis of the Joint Public Action Committee. All markets, shops and business centres in the region remained completely shut, public transport remained suspended and roads remained deserted.

Also, the AJK government kept the internet services suspended in all cities of Azad Kashmir for the second consecutive day. 

MARCH ON MUZAFFARABAD

The Joint Public Action Committee announce on Tuesday it would march on Muzaffarabad, the capital of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir. The committee also decided that the shutter-down and wheel-jam strike across Azad Kashmir would continue until protesting people’s demands are accepted.

A convoy of protesters from Bagh advanced towards Muzaffarabad and reached Kohala. The protesters removed the obstacles on their way at Kohala. They threw the containers, which were used to block their way, into the Neelum River. They also removed other obstacles on the road and cleared the way.

The public participating in the march kept raising slogans against the government. Security agencies were deployed around Kohala Bridge in big numbers.

Speaking to the media, the protesters said the government was not serious in solving people’s problems. They said the protest would continue until demands are met.

The protesters are likely to call for a sit-in after reaching Muzaffarabad. Due to the prevailing tense situation in the region, an atmosphere of uncertainty is prevailing in Muzaffarabad and the surrounding areas. 

INTERNET AND MOBILE SERVICES SHUT DOWN IN AZAD KASHMIR

People in Azad Kashmir are facing severe problems after suspension of internet services in the region.

The region has been without the internet for the last two days and people have been unable to contact their near and dear ones.

Suspension of the internet services paralysed the online business, educational activities and the banking system. Students could not take online classes and submit assignments.

The mobile services were shut down a day before the protest against the Azad Kashmir government on the call of the Joint Public Action Committee.

Reporter: Zahid Bashir Chaudhry