JAMMU: Anger spilled onto the streets of Jammu on Wednesday as the Jammu & Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) staged a massive protest against the alleged brutal crackdown, excessive use of force, and human rights violations by the Pakistani Army and security forces against civilians in Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK). Protesters raised slogans against Pakistan and Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, including
“PoJK ke Veero, Aage Badho – Hum Tumhare Saath Hain!” ,
“General Munir Hai-Hai! Pakistan Hukumat Bye-Bye!”, before burning the effigies of General Asim Munir and Pakistan in a strong mark of protest.
Leading the demonstration, Shiv Sena (UBT) J&K President Manish Sahni alleged that Pakistani security forces were opening indiscriminate fire on unarmed civilians protesting for freedom, basic rights, relief from soaring inflation, shortages of flour and electricity, and an end to administrative repression in PoJK. He claimed that 30 to 40 civilians had been killed and over 200 injured, while areas including Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Rawalakot, and Poonch remained under severe tension.
Sahni said that Pakistan, which has long attempted to mislead the international community on Kashmir, now finds itself facing an uprising by the very people living in PoJK. “The people’s revolt in PoJK is a slap in the face of Pakistan,” he said.
Reiterating India’s long-standing position, Sahni asserted that the entire territory of PoJK, spread over nearly 13,300 square kilometres, is an integral and inalienable part of India that has remained under Pakistan’s illegal occupation since 1947-48.
He recalled that on February 22, 1994, the Indian Parliament unanimously adopted a resolution affirming that PoJK is an integral part of India, and said the time had come to translate that resolution into action.
Sahni urged the Central Government to ensure the safety and security of the people living in PoJK by mounting strong diplomatic and strategic pressure on Pakistan. “This is not the time for mere statements. The Government must formulate a concrete strategy to end Pakistan’s illegal occupation of PoJK,” he said.
The protest witnessed the participation of dozens of senior Shiv Sena (UBT) leader , Sanjeev Kohli, Raj Singh, Sajnay Bhatt, Raju Kapoor, Jasbeer Singh Viney, Magar Sharma, Manoj, Rajinder, Raj kr and other office-bearers and party workers.
