Unrest in PoK Amid India's Lok Sabha Elections: A Deep Dive

Today marks the fourth phase of the Lok Sabha elections in India. At the same time, there has been unrest in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) for the past week. The issue of PoK has come up frequently during the Indian elections. India firmly believes that PoK belongs to it and insists that Pakistan should withdraw from the area.

Residents of PoK have begun to rebel against the Pakistani government due to poor economic conditions and a lack of development. This unrest has led to several areas in PoK experiencing turmoil over the last week.

The rebellion in PoK started when Pakistani police attempted to suppress protests organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC). The protesters were demanding electricity at production cost, subsidized wheat flour, and other subsidies. They believe that the Pakistani government should stop favoring the elite class immediately.

Violence broke out when locals clashed with police officers trying to halt a rally heading towards Muzaffarabad through Kotli and Poonch districts. In these clashes, one police officer lost his life, and more than 100 individuals, mostly policemen, were injured.

An official from PoK told CNN-News18 that the protests are a result of Pakistan's federal government's poor economic policies and neglect. This neglect has spanned over 70 years, preventing economic growth and exploiting the region for Pakistan's political motives against India on international platforms.

The official further explained that the protests are not just about high electricity bills, taxes, and unemployment. They also oppose the harsh actions of the Pakistani police and army. There's a growing anti-Pakistan sentiment among the people, with some in Rawalakot expressing a desire to join India. This sentiment is not new, but social media has played a crucial role in bringing it to global attention.

While Kashmir under Indian administration is seeing development with more job opportunities and tourism, PoK lacks basic amenities essential for living. The official criticized PoK's use by Pakistan as a base for terror activities rather than providing for its residents. They reiterated India's demand for Pakistan to return PoK.