The Joint Awami Action Committee in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday called off the wheel jam and shutter-down strike after the government accepted their demands, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Soon after the committee announced the decision, the protestors, who had come to the AJK capital, Muzaffarabd, started returning to their native towns and cities.   

Speaking to the media in Muzaffarabad, members of the committee, however, demanded the government that those responsible for the killings of three youths during the protests be punished.

They also demanded the release of all protestors and the withdrawal of cases against them.

Furthermore, they demanded the formation of a judicial commission to probe police excesses so that those responsible could be brought to justice.

Funeral prayers for three youths who died in clashes with the police were offered in the afternoon.

Shaukat Nawaz Mir said that it was after one year that the movement for the rights of the people of Kashmir bore fruit.  

He said the action committee had succeeded in forcing the AJK government to provide flour and electricity to the people at cheaper rates.

“No doubt the people of Kashmir deserve praise for ensuring the movement’s success,” he added.

In view of the gravity of the situation in the region, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had on Monday convened a high-level meeting in Islamabad at which he announced a special financial package of Rs23 billion for the region.

The amount was meant to be spent by the AJK government to provide flour and electricity to the people of the region at cheaper rates.  

Reporters: Safeer Raza and Syed Masood Gardezi