Srinagar, June 9: More than 30 people have been killed and over 200 others injured across PoJK as Pakistani troops fired on civilians after thousands of protesters participating in the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) Long March converged on towns and cities, including Rawalakot and Muzaffarabad, to demand their genuine rights and abolishing of 12 reserved seats of PoJK assembly.

Reports suggest that the mobilization by JAAC, described by organizers as a grassroots campaign for political and economic rights, has grown into one of the most significant public protests reported in the PoJK in recent years.
The large convoys linked to the JAAC Long March advanced through multiple districts, drawing participants from a wide range of communities.
According to social media updates cited by activist Ahmad Hassan Bobak, caravans from various union councils of Barnala moved toward Bhimber, where several groups were expected to merge before proceeding to Rawalakot and ultimately Muzaffarabad, the administrative capital of the region.
Thousands of people joined the march from Dadyal and surrounding areas, with convoys continuing to gather momentum along major transit routes. The movement described as “people’s mobilization for rights,” by JAAC aims at highlighting long standing economic grievances and political concerns.
In Muzaffarabad, the public transport services and business activities remained suspended following a strike call issued by the Public Action Committee.
Demonstrators maintained that the shutdown and mass protests reflected broad public support for the movement.
The police and Pakistani Rangers and army personnel intercepted the processionists at many locations including at Kot Jameel, Chahamb North, Rawalkote, Muzaffarabad, Palandri, Neelum Bridge etc. The troops fired live ammunition on the protestors.
According to reports, more than 30 people have been killed and around 200 others injured in clashes between the Pakistani troops and unarmed protestors.
Ambulances were used to transport the wounded to nearby hospitals.
There were also reports that when bodies of two protestors were shifted to a hospital, Pakistani troops reached the hospital and cordoned it. They fired on the attendants of the patients in the hospital, killing two more persons.
The unrest intensified after authorities banned the Joint Awami Action Committee, a prominent civil society alliance that has led protests over economic hardships and political representation in the PoJK.
The JAAC agitation is taking place against the allocation of 12 reserved seats for refugees in the 27 legislative elections, out of 45 seats in the regional assembly.
According to the JAAC leaders, the Pakistani army nominates its stooges on the 12 reserved seats, thus tilting the balance in favour of the Pakistani army in the PoJK assembly.
JAAC has been designated as a “terror” organization by authorities.
The situation remains volatile across PoJK.