AJK observes 'black day' as govt subsidy fails to end protest

The government's decision to provide a Rs23 billion subsidy for Azad Jammu and Kashmir has not appeared successful in ending the conflict in the region, as three people were killed and six others sustained injuries due to firing and teargas shelling by forces.

AJK is observing a "black day" on the Awami Action Committee's (AAC) call. However, the shutter-down and wheel-jam strike against inflated electricity and flour in AJK, was ended today after five days.

All schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutes are closed in the region.

Meanwhile, transport and travel activities are less than routine, while telephone and internet services remained shut down in the AJK and the lawyers also boycotted the court proceedings.  

Shortly after the decision of Premier Shehbaz Sharif's decision to release Rs23 billion for AJK to solve the difficulties of the people in Kashmir, the paramilitary Rangers and villagers re-entered the clashes.

The clashes restarted when Rangers, called to maintain law and order situation amid protest, had been returning to the Pakistani territory after the PM’s announcement.

19-vehicle Ranger, including five trucks, were pelted with rocks near Shorran da Nakka village, to which paramilitary personnel responded with teargas and firing.

Divisional Commissioner Muzaffarabad Sardar Adnan Khurshid said at least three persons had died in Rangers’ firing, and six were injured.

However, in an effort to end the protest in AJK, the government downed the rate of 40kg flour to Rs2,000 from Rs3,100. The electricity tariff has been reduced to Rs3, Rs5, and Rs6 per unit for up to 100, 300, and over 300, respectively.