Protesters clash with police in Pakistani Kashmir amid strike over election seats

Protests erupted in Pakistan-administered Kashmir as cities and towns came to a standstill following a general strike called by a recently banned alliance of civil society groups. The strike was organized to protest the allocation of 12 seats in the upcoming legislative assembly elections for refugees who do not reside in Kashmir but elsewhere in Pakistan.

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Muzaffarabad, the largest capital city of Azad Kashmir, with a population of 550,000, is completely deserted and utterly lifeless.

Streets in the capital Muzaffarabad and other areas were largely deserted, with security forces visible throughout the day. The situation escalated following clashes on Sunday night in Rawalakot, which resulted in at least 11 deaths. In response, regional authorities have initiated sedition cases against four prominent leaders of the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), the banned group, and announced a bounty for their arrest.

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Every shop, every market, every lane, every street, and every bazaar is completely shut.

Residents described the capital city of Muzaffarabad as "completely deserted and utterly lifeless," with all markets and businesses shut. Amnesty International condemned the "violent and sweeping crackdown," citing "mass arbitrary arrests, and deadly use of force," and expressed alarm over the "deterioration of human rights in the region."

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The violent and sweeping crackdown on protests in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir – including an internet shutdown, mass arbitrary arrests, and deadly use of force – continues an alarming deterioration of human rights in the region.

Locals urged for dialogue, with one resident stating, "Talk like brothers... These people are not against Pakistan. They are just asking for their own rights." The Himalayan region of Kashmir has been divided between Pakistan and India since 1947. Previous demonstrations led by the JAAC against rising costs of essential goods have also resulted in deadly clashes.

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Talk like brothers. Bring senior people from Pakistan and have them talk with these people. These people are not against Pakistan. They are just asking for their own rights.