Muzaffarabad, June 19: A territory-wide shutdown has brought normal life to a standstill in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) after the region’s deadliest unrest in years left more than 20 people dead and dozens injured, Reuters reported.
ALSO READ: MrBeast Becomes First YouTuber to Cross 500 Million Subscribers
The protests were triggered by opposition to the reservation of 12 seats for refugees from Jammu and Kashmir in the upcoming July 27 legislative assembly elections.
According to Reuters, at least 20 civilians were killed between June 6 and June 14, while police said four officers also lost their lives and nearly 100 were injured during clashes with protesters. More than 500 people have reportedly been detained.
The unrest has been led by supporters of the recently banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), with thousands gathered near Rawalakot.
ALSO READ: 5 IAF Personnel Killed as An-32 Transport Aircraft Crashes in Assam
The shutdown has severely disrupted daily life, forcing businesses, banks, ATMs and fuel stations to remain closed, while daily wage earners have been among the worst affected.
The ongoing unrest poses a significant challenge for Islamabad ahead of the scheduled elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
