AJK Official Alleges Indian Funding Behind Banned JAAC Movement
Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Information Department Secretary Muhammad Rashid Hanif stated on Monday that state institutions possess evidence of Indian funding supporting the agenda of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in AJK. Speaking in Muzaffarabad, Hanif asserted that credible information indicates foreign funding is behind the JAAC's current activities, specifically citing the mobilization of overseas Kashmiris, such as UK-based Amjad Ayub Mirza, to promote an anti-Pakistan agenda. He urged AJK residents to disregard social media disinformation and engage in the proper political process to restore regional peace. Hanif described the JAAC's actions over the past month as illegal and violent, masquerading as human rights advocacy, and claimed the movement has effectively held the region hostage. He detailed incidents of harassment, fear, and disruption in the Poonch belt, stating the group has shifted from advocating for human rights to engaging in violent activities, even using tree cutting to block roads and displaying anti-Pakistan sentiments. The economic impact has been severe, with Rs15 billion in losses to the government due to suspended economic and business activities. Initially a human rights movement addressing issues like rising flour and electricity prices after COVID-19, Hanif explained that the JAAC's direction shifted when individuals with specific agendas joined, leading to violent and anti-democratic actions, including promoting an independent Kashmiri state and encouraging civil disobedience. An AJK police spokesperson corroborated these claims, alleging JAAC members looted goods carriers, abused drivers, and harassed the public, causing fear among transporters. The spokesperson assured that law enforcement would soon clear blockades and restore supply chains, noting that JAAC members used firearms on July 4 to intimidate the public. The JAAC was declared a proscribed organization and placed under the anti-terrorism act on June 5, with subsequent crackdowns leading to arrests and the placement of activists on a watch list.
The AJK government's allegations of Indian funding for the JAAC highlight the complex geopolitical dynamics and information warfare often present in disputed territories. By labeling the JAAC's activities as foreign-funded and anti-state, authorities aim to delegitimize dissent and consolidate control, framing the movement's grievances as externally manipulated rather than organic public concerns. This narrative framing serves to justify security crackdowns and limit the space for independent advocacy. Future developments will likely involve continued efforts to control information flows and manage public perception, with the government seeking to reassert its authority while the JAAC, if it persists, may adapt its strategies to counter these narratives and maintain support. The long-term stability of the region may depend on addressing the underlying socio-economic issues that initially fueled public discontent, rather than solely focusing on security measures and accusations of foreign interference.
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