One die in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir as police clash with pro-freedom protesters
Muzaffarabad, POK/IBNS: At least one person was killed and many were injured when police clashed with pro-freedom protesters of People National Alliance on Tuesday. They were protesting in demand for unification of Gilgit region with Azad Kashmir held by Pakistan or what India refers as Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (POK).
According to Anadolu Agency, while one died many were injured. The wounded included police officials too as the clashes broke out and police tried to disperse the protesting people who were marching.
People National Alliance (PNA), the pro-freedom group, was demanding that the existing legislative assembly be turned into a constitutional assembly and that the Gilgit region be unified with the Pakistan-administered Kashmir, also known as Azad Kashmir.
Video footage available with IBNS showed people injured and bleeding running around and being whisked away by cops.
Anadolu reported that that violence took place on a day, when Islamabad-based foreign diplomats were touring the region, to see the damages in villages of Azad Kashmir blamed on Indian shelling. After Pakistan violated ceasefire, India had to exchange fire with their neighbour and reports said a total of nine civilians and soldiers, on both sides, were killed since Saturday.
"Protestors were trying to hold gathering in front of the AJK assembly, but local administration stopped them near the AJK university. Later they were allowed to hold gathering in front of Muzaffarabad Press Club," Saqib Ali, a local journalist present at the scene told Anadolu Agency.Despite permission issued by the administration, some protesters suddenly started shouting slogans and threw stones on police, he added.
Pakistan authorities claimed the person who died during the clash was not among the protesters.
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