Watch: People playing cricket on empty roads in AJK during strike

People were spotted playing cricket on the empty roads in Azad Jammu and Kashmir during a two-day holiday announced by the government following massive protests.

In a viral video, people were seen playing cricket on the busy road of Muzzaffarabad.

The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has declared holidays on Friday and Saturday in Muzaffarabad due to the law and order situation in the region after action committees’ protest against the wheat crisis and electricity tariff that changed after police shell allegedly fell in a girl’s school.

In a statement, the district magistrate said that the AJK Joint Awami Committee had announced its shutter-down and wheel-jam strike on May 11.

“For security reasons and in order to maintain the law and order situation, all private and public education institutions [universities, colleges, schools, and academies] will remain closed from May 10 to May 11 [Friday and Saturday],” it said

The AJK Joint Action Committee listed 10 demands before the government

Wheat subsidy similar to Gilgit Baltistan

Electricity tariff should be determined from the cost of electricity production from the Mangla Hydropower Project in AJK

Unnecessary perks and privileges of the ruling class and officials should be completely eliminated

Restrictions on student unions should be lifted, and elections should be conducted

Kashmir Bank should be scheduled

Municipal representatives should be given funds and powers

Cellular companies and internet services should be standardised

Property transfer taxes should be reduced

Accountability Bureau should be made active in AJK and amendments should be made to the Act

Practical restrictions should be imposed on tree cutting and legislation should be enacted to revitalize the local wood industry