The Government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Tuesday initiated formal legal proceedings against leaders of the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Shaukat Nawaz Mir and Khawaja Mehran Arshad, over allegations of sedition and anti-state activities, as thousands in the region demonstrated for an abolition of seats for refugees.
According to a notification, the Muzaffarabad Senior Superintendent of Police would complete investigations against Mir under Section 124A of the AJK Penal Code, while the Mirpur SSP would probe allegations against Arshad. The AJK Home Department said the decision to proceed with investigations under law followed a review of available material, including alleged criminal speeches, writings, publications and electronic communications.
The directive follows the leaking of an alleged audio recording between Mir and Arshad during which they appear to call for violent incidents in Rawalakot. On Sunday, police in Rawalakot clashed with JAAC protesters, resulting in at least 11 deaths, according to the BCC. Of these, four deceased were law enforcement personnel while seven were protesters. Additionally, per police, over 20 security officials were injured.
The Home Department has also instructed relevant district police chiefs to complete investigations under Section 196 of the Code of Criminal Procedure and submit challans before the relevant courts.
The AJK government declared the JAAC a proscribed organization under anti-terrorism laws last week, accusing the group of involvement in terrorism and acting in a “manner prejudicial to the peace and security of the state.”
Additionally, the AJK Home Department has issued a list of four wanted individuals linked to the banned JAAC—Mir, Arshad, Umar Nazir Kashmiri and Sardar Aman Khan—announcing a reward of Rs. 10 million for any information leading to their arrest.
Also on Tuesday, JAAC leader Syed Faisal Gilani announced his dissociation from the banned organization, alleging it had played a role in the violence in Rawalakot.
Despite the ban, supporters of the JAAC have launched a shutter-down strike in AJK, with businesses completely shut in parts of the region. On Tuesday, rallies proceeded from Mirpur, Bhimber and Kotli toward Muzaffarabad, where the JAAC claims it would stage a sit-in until its demands are met.
Local media has reported sporadic clashes between the protesters and police during these “long marches,” with officials saying several policemen and protesters have been injured. There are also unverified reports of violence in Kotli, resulting in the deaths of several people. The AJK government last week blocked internet and mobile data services in the region, hampering access to verifiable information.
Amidst the restive situation, AJK Prime Minister Faisal Mumtaz Rathore has issued a call for dialogue between authorities and the banned JAAC, maintaining all issues can be resolved through discussions.