Pakistan accused of firing on unarmed protesters in Kashmir leaving 30 dead

A wave of violence has engulfed the disputed region of Pakistan-administered Kashmir in recent days, leaving at least 30 people dead. The conflict began as a local civil society group, Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), took to the streets to demand electoral reform and call for reserved seats to be abolished, giving more control to the local population. Protesters claimed that the system, which allows refugees from Indian-administered Kashmir living in Pakistan to hold these seats, gives outsiders too much control over the region.

Security forces responded to the protests by firing on the demonstrators, killing 25 people on Monday and five more on Tuesday. JAAC and their supporters have released photos and video evidence of the aftermath of the violence, showing bodies on streets in a pool of blood. Local residents claim that security forces took away the dead bodies and locked away the hospital in Mirpur, an attempt to erase evidence of the state crackdown.

Amnesty International has called on Pakistani authorities to lift the severe communication shutdown, including an internet blackout, that has isolated the region from the rest of Pakistan. The crackdown has also seen mass arrests, sparking fears that the situation may escalate further.

Pakistan authorities have denied involvement in the killing of civilian protesters, instead accusing India of funding and instigating the unrest. However, JAAC has rejected these claims, pointing out that similar tactics are used in India to suppress peaceful protests. The protests led by JAAC have been ongoing for a year, demanding greater political and economic rights for local people.