As the protests against high energy bills and taxes reached their second day in Mirpur, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), on Saturday, a police officer was shot dead following altercations with demonstrators from the Awami Action Committee (AAC).
In opposition to the state’s increased taxes and power prices, the AAC called for a shutter down and wheel-jam strike, which kept markets, trade centers, offices, schools, and restaurants closed throughout the AJK.
All routes leading to Madina Market, where the AAC had planned a reception for the participants in the long march, were heavily guarded by police.
At Shahrah-e-Srinagar, barricades barred the routes to Muzaffarabad, and there were large police presences on the main roadway.
At the break of morning, a big contingent of participants marched in groups towards Muzaffarabad from Bhimbar, Mirpur, and Kotli.
When demonstrators and police battled close to Islam Garh, the protests turned violent. Mirpur Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Adnan Qureshi was shot in the chest by the demonstrators when they attempted to impede their path, according to the police.
After being taken to the hospital, the police officer passed away from his wounds; three demonstrators also suffered serious injuries.
Meanwhile, during the police use of tear gas and the stone-throwing by the demonstrators in Kotli, a number of additional officers and protesters were also hurt. Several cars, including a magistrate’s automobile near the Poonch-Kotli route, were destroyed by the rowdy protestors.
Conflicts had previously been recorded from Muzaffarabad’s Shah Sultan Bridge, Tanga stand, and Aziz Chowk.
Following the violent incidents, police began to crack down on the demonstrators, detaining hundreds of people in the capital of AJK.
Conflicts and stone-throwing on Friday resulted in the injuries of over forty people, eleven of them were police officers.
Following the AAC demonstrations, the AJK administration placed a ban on public meetings, marches, and processions in all districts and enforced Section 144 throughout the territory.
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