MUZAFFARABAD: The banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) is threatening young protesters who have become disappointed with the group’s conduct, criminal character and terrorist mindset and now wish to return to their homes from Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir police said.
In a statement, the spokesperson for the Inspector General of Police, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, said several youths from Bhimber, Mirpur and other districts of Azad Jammu and Kashmir who had travelled to Rawalakot under the banned JAAC’s June 9 long march call were seeking to abandon the protest.
The spokesperson said that individuals linked to the banned Joint Action Committee, along with affiliated social media accounts, were spreading fear among the youths by warning them that they would be arrested by police and Rangers or even killed if they attempted to leave the protest and return home.
The rumours being spread by the banned Awami Action Committee that young people returning home after leaving the protest will be arrested or killed are completely false and baseless, the Azad Jammu and Kashmir police spokesperson said.
All the young people from the districts of Bhimber, Mirpur and other areas of Azad Jammu and Kashmir who were misled by the Awami Action Committee and are currently present in Rawalakot, and who wish to return to their homes, are respected citizens for us, the police spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said that the police are establishing Facilitation Centres in Rawalakot to ensure the safe return of those young people who wish to go back to their homes.
“By contacting these centres, the youths can return to their homes without any hindrance,” the police spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir have strongly reacted to the protest call of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), saying it is adversely affecting their routine life.
In Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, Bhimber, Kotli and other districts routine life activities continued with all markets and business centres open.
The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir said the poor daily wage earners are facing severe difficulties due to this strike, while the closure of hospitals and medical stores has aggravated problems of patients and their families.
The citizens said that this protest of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee has only added to the problems of the common man instead of reducing them.
The people of Azad Jammu and Kashmir said the poor cannot afford any more disruptive activities of the banned action committee. The people also condemned the spread of rumours contrary to ground realities by some elements.
Traffic flows smoothly as per routine while commercial and business activities remain brisk across the state, reflecting public order and stability.
The people of Azad Kashmir have given practical proof of being peaceful and informed citizens by rejecting the protest call and thwarting the evil designs of elements who were trying to disturb the law and order situation in the state.
