JAAC protesters to chart way forward today

MUZAFFARABAD: Activists of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), who have been camped on the outskirts of Rawalakot for more than 10 days, are expected to announce their next course of action on Tuesday, according to one of the alliance’s leaders.

Speculation had been circulating that the protesters planned to begin a long march towards Muzaffarabad on Tuesday. However, late on Sunday night, Umar Nazir Kashmiri — one of four JAAC leaders whose arrest carries a cash reward — urged supporters to gather in large numbers at Eidgah Ground on Tuesday, saying the alliance would reveal its future strategy there.

The group appeared to have limited practical choices left: trying to move into Rawalakot’s urban area, setting out on a march towards Muzaffarabad, or maintaining its road blockades.

Administration rules out entry into city

When contacted, Poonch Divisional Commissioner Sardar Waheed Khan said protesters would not be allowed to enter Rawalakot, where a curfew remained in place.

Explaining how the administration would respond if demonstrators attempted to advance, Khan said law enforcement personnel would first issue warnings before escalating their response.

“If they try to advance towards the city, law enforcement personnel will initially use whistles to warn them back. If they still do not stop, tear gas and aerial firing will be employed to push them back,” he said, making it clear that firing would be used only as a last resort to enforce the curfew.

Khan said that anyone entering a curfew-hit area would be seen as knowingly breaking the law and potentially seeking a confrontation with security personnel. He added that, in such a situation, law enforcers would act under their standard operating procedures to prevent them from moving forward.

Route to Muzaffarabad also seen as difficult

The divisional commissioner also said a march towards Muzaffarabad would be hard to carry out because of the difficult terrain on the two available routes: via Tolipir-Lasdanna-Bagh and via Azad Pattan-Tain Dhalkot-Kohala. He said the authorities would adopt a different strategy if protesters chose that option.

Responding to reports that JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman had sent a delegation to negotiate with the protesters, Khan said the government had not authorised any individual or political party to hold talks with JAAC or offer commitments on its behalf.

“JAAC leaders have handed over a list of 13 demands to a team that met them allegedly on behalf of the JUI-F chief. Those demands are neither practicable nor acceptable,” he said.

Khan also rejected reports that opposition figures from around the country were expected to attend the JAAC gathering on Monday. He said any person presenting themselves as a go-between or mediator should first ensure they had a mandate from both sides before entering talks.