ISLAMABAD: A senior leader of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Syed Faisal Gilani, has announced his complete dissociation from the so-called movement over the group’s involvement in bloodshed and violent activities.
In a video message on Tuesday, he strongly condemned the violent attacks by the proscribed committee in Rawalakot city of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
“We became part of the banned Joint Action Committee for the public interest, but unfortunately, it has strayed from its original path,” Syed Faisal Gilani said.
Gilani stated that the group’s recent actions forced him to take this decision. He added that he could not remain associated after witnessing the situation on the ground.
The people of Azad Kashmir are proving that they are conscious citizens by rejecting the violent statements of the banned Joint Public Action Committee, he added.
“In view of these actions and the present circumstances, I announce my complete disassociation from the banned Action Committee and its activities,” he said.
Earlier, the government of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) initiated formal legal proceedings against the banned Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) leaders Shaukat Nawaz Mir and Khawaja Mehran Arshad over sedition and anti-state activities, the Home Department said.
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government declared the Joint Awami Action Committee a proscribed organisation under anti-terrorism laws on June 5, saying the group was “engaged in terrorism, acting in a manner prejudicial to the peace and security of the State”.
On Monday, Azad Jammu and Kashmir police said that deliberate firing by armed miscreants of the banned group left four law enforcement personnel martyred and more than 20 police and security officials injured in Rawalakot.
The fresh directives from the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Home Department follow a leaked call audio recording involving Nawaz Mir and Khawaja Mehran Arshad and violent incidents in Rawalakot.
Separately, Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry said that the situation in Azad Jammu and Kashmir was under control and that authorities were ensuring the protection of lives and property.
