PoJKProtests – Demonstrations Persist in Rawalakot as Rights Concerns Draw Wider Attention
PoJKProtests – Protests in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) continued in Rawalakot on Thursday as demonstrators remained gathered at D-Chowk, while allegations of excessive force by security personnel during recent demonstrations continued to circulate through social media platforms linked to the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC).
The claims, which have not been independently verified, emerged as protest organizers maintained that participants had been staging a sit-in for several days. According to posts shared by accounts associated with the JKJAAC, the movement has been demanding a long march while raising concerns over what they describe as the use of force and targeted actions against civilians during the demonstrations.
Protesters Raise Allegations Against Security Personnel
Videos circulated by the committee’s affiliated social media accounts featured individuals taking part in the protest, with one participant alleging that security personnel positioned inside nearby buildings had opened fire on unarmed civilians.
The protester claimed that several of those who lost their lives suffered gunshot wounds to the head. He also alleged that intermittent firing continued through the night, creating fear among residents and those participating in the demonstrations. According to his account, protesters believed they were being deliberately targeted at different locations around the protest site.
These statements remain allegations and have not been confirmed by independent sources.
Appeal for Independent International Coverage
During the recorded message, the protester called on international media organizations to visit Rawalakot and independently assess the situation on the ground. He argued that global audiences should have direct access to events rather than relying solely on official briefings.
The speaker urged journalists to examine the circumstances surrounding the demonstrations and determine who was carrying weapons and responsible for the reported firing incidents.
JKJAAC Leadership Vows to Continue Movement
Senior JKJAAC Core Committee member Khan Ilyas Khan said the movement would continue despite the reported deaths of protesters. While expressing grief over the casualties, he stated that the organization remained determined to pursue its campaign.
Khan said the protesters would continue raising public issues and challenging what he described as oppressive actions by the authorities. He also alleged that participants seeking civic rights had been unfairly portrayed as terrorists.
In addition, Khan paid tribute to Osama Jamil, whom he identified as a member of the movement, describing his death as a significant loss for the people associated with the protest and expressing condolences to residents across the region.
International Solidarity Campaign Announced
Social media accounts linked to the Awami Action Committee also circulated messages seeking support from international organizations. The appeal encouraged trade unions, student groups, human rights organizations and civil society activists, particularly in Brazil, to organize demonstrations highlighting the reported situation in Kashmir.
A poster shared through the same channels announced a protest titled “Stop the Repression in Kashmir” outside the Commercial Section of the Pakistan Embassy in São Paulo on Thursday, July 30, calling for global attention to the allegations raised by the movement.
Political Response Emerges in Jammu and Kashmir
Separately, the Jammu and Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (UBT) announced plans to organize a protest over the reported developments in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The party said its demonstration would focus on allegations of human rights violations and the reported deaths during the unrest.
At present, the allegations made by protesters and the JKJAAC-linked social media accounts have not been independently verified by international media or other neutral monitoring agencies. No official confirmation regarding the claims of shootings, casualties or the conduct of security personnel has been established through independent sources.