India condemns Pakistan over PoK violence, says crackdown aimed at covering governance failures
India strongly criticised Pakistan over the reported killing of 11 protesters in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing the violence as a "desperate bid to cover up its failures" in the region.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the reported crackdown by Pakistani security forces on protesters and expressed concern over the loss of civilian lives during the unrest in PoK. According to reports, at least 11 people were killed and more than 70 others injured during clashes between protesters and security personnel.
India accused Pakistan of attempting to suppress dissent through force instead of addressing the grievances of people living in the region. The MEA said such actions reflected Islamabad's inability to deal with growing public discontent and governance challenges in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
The violence reportedly erupted ahead of a protest organised by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a group that has been demanding greater political and economic rights and opposing the reservation of legislative seats for refugees living outside the region. Pakistani authorities had recently declared the organisation a banned group under anti-terror laws.
According to officials in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, the clashes resulted in fatalities among both protesters and security personnel, while dozens of people sustained injuries. Protest leaders, however, alleged that excessive force was used against demonstrators and described the incident as a massacre.
India reiterated its long-standing position on Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and called attention to alleged human rights violations in the region. The latest unrest has also drawn international attention, with concerns being raised over the handling of protests and the broader political situation in PoK.
