Protests in AJK against the power tariff hike, flour prices and elite privileges have continued for the past three days.
The two-day clashes between the police and protesters left one policeman dead and several people injured, reports said.
More than 150 protesters were detained, according to sources. Rangers were called in but sent back after the AJK government opted for negotiations on the third day of protests.
The sources added that the deadlock between the AJK government and demonstrators persisted over power tariffs until this report's filing.
Negotiations between the Joint Public Action Committee and the Chief Secretary of Azad Kashmir remained inconclusive. Reportedly, the talks continued for two hours.
Reports said protest convoys were moving from several cities to the capital Muzaffarabad. Internet service remained partially suspended in several cities including Muzaffarabad.
Taking to social media, AJK Minister for Rural Development Faisal Mumtaz Rathore said the situation calmed down while the protesters reiterated their resolve to continue the ‘movement for their rights’.
“The big demand of the people, the demand for cheap electricity and the end of load-shedding, falls under the jurisdiction of the Government of Pakistan,” Rathore said.
He urged the public to remain peaceful. “In this one year I have been in office, I have never been against the right to peaceful protest and never supported violence against people,” he added.
Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a leader of the protesters, said the Public Action Committee is a peaceful organisation and willing to negotiate with the authorities to ensure the provision of cheap electricity and cheap flour. He also appreciated the withdrawal of the Rangers.
A protest was to be held on May 11 on the call of the Public Action Committee. However, the AJK government requested 1,200 personnel from the FC and Punjab Constabulary from the federal government, apparently to protect installations, hydel projects and the assembly.
Although the protest was due on May 11, it started on May 10 in reaction to the arrests, prompting fierce clashes between the police and protesters in Muzaffarabad, reports said.
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Dozens of protesters were arrested and several protesters and police officers were also injured in the clash. On May 11, a long march from Mirpur and Kotli was stopped, prompting fierce clashes between the protesters and the police again. As a result, several protesters were injured and according to the government spokesman, a sub-inspector was killed.
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A BBC report cited Faisal Mumtaz Rathore as saying a meeting with President Asif Zardari was due and the issue would be resolved soon. He said that he is in touch with the members of the Public Action Committee and the issues will be resolved soon.
Shaukat Nawaz Mir said that this protest will continue for an indefinite period. He said in a video message that people are being ‘tortured more by stopping the mobile service’. He stressed that the body was out for their rights and continued their campaign 'peacefully'.