Holiday in Muzaffarabad as protest against inflation enters fourth day

MUZAFFARABAD: The wheel jam and shutter down strike over high flour and electricity prices entered its fourth day on Monday as a possible agreement between the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee and the AJK government ended in a deadlock on Sunday.

In response to the protesters resuming their march on Muzaffarabad, the Azad Kashmir government has declared a holiday on May 13 (Monday) for government offices and educational institutions in the state capital.

The notification stated, “Due to the wheel jam strike, employees may encounter difficulty in commuting to the office. All public and private educational institutions, universities, and colleges in Muzaffarabad will remain closed on Monday, May 13.”

The Awami Action Committee has affirmed continuing its march on the state capital and shutdown strike until their demands are met after talks between the JAAC core committee and AJK Chief Secretary Dawood Bareach in Rawalakot ended in a stalemate.

Several reports suggested that the Kohala–Muzaffarabad Road, stretching 40 kilometers and linking Kohala town with Muzaffarabad, has been closed at several points by the protesters.

READ MORE: Punjab Rangers deployed in Azad Kashmir amid ACC protests

The AJK government has called in Rangers along with heavy contingents of police after clashes between the protestors and police in Mirpur on Saturday resulted in the death of a policeman and injuries to scores of others.

Yesterday, Rangers were deployed in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) after clashes between the protestors and police in Mirpur on Saturday killed Sub-Inspector Adnan Qureshi and injured over 100 across AJK.

In a video message after the meeting, Sardar Umar Nazir Kashmiri accused the government of resorting to evasive tactics under the guise of negotiations. “There was no single notification on any issue…. There was evasion, delay tactics, lies, fraud, and deception,” he alleged.

After the video clip, loudspeakers in Rawalakot called upon the protesters to resume their journey towards the capital.

Business and educational activities face complete suspension along with internet and cellular services in different parts of AJK today including Bhimber, Bagh, Mirpur, and Muzaffarabad.

He adds that the government refused to accept any other demand except flour subsidy.