India alleges over 40 dead, rigged polls in Pakistan-administered Kashmir
India on Friday urged the international community to scrutinise the actions of Pakistani authorities in the region that India refers to as Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), stating that the ongoing crackdown on protesters has led to the death of over 40 civilians. The appeal came during a media briefing in New Delhi, where Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described the force used against peaceful demonstrators as "ruthless" and called for accountability for what he termed "atrocities."
The region, known as Azad Jammu and Kashmir in Pakistan, has witnessed widespread protests over the last two months. The demonstrations, organised by a civil society group called the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), initially focused on 12 seats in the local legislative assembly that are reserved for non-residents. Protesters say these externally voted seats dilute local representation and allow Islamabad to install a prime minister of its choosing. This, they argue, has historically allowed the party in power in Pakistan to win the PoK elections.
The electoral process for the 45 directly elected seats is being conducted in three phases, with the final phase scheduled for August 10. In the first phase held on July 27, the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) secured nine of the 13 seats, according to authorities. The Pakistan People's Party (PPP) reportedly won the remaining seats. However, allegations of massive rigging have been made by political groups and protesters.
Beyond political disenfranchisement, the protests also reflect growing anger over economic hardship and restrictions on civil liberties, according to sources closely monitoring the situation. They point to a collapse of local governance, including an economic blockade that has caused shortages of subsidised wheat and essential medicines. Additionally, residents face up to 15 to 20 hours of power cuts daily despite the region's dams generating far more electricity than local demand.
The death toll from the crackdown remains disputed. While India has cited over 40 civilian deaths, the JAAC has claimed at least 150 lives lost in indiscriminate firing by security forces. The JAAC also says that at least 14 of its activists were killed and more than two dozen injured in clashes during the first phase of the elections. The internet has been shut down in the region, making independent verification difficult.
In a television interview, Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif defended the government's actions, saying he placed the protesters in the same category as India and called them "enemies like India." He ruled out any dialogue with the protesters.
Jaiswal also criticised the Pakistani Defence Minister's remarks, stating that "absolute disdain for the innocent people of PoK was laid bare" when he branded the protesters as enemies. He reiterated India's position that the elections are an attempt by Islamabad to camouflage its illegal occupation and hide human rights violations.
India has consistently maintained that the entire region of Kashmir is an integral part of its territory and has described Pakistan's control over the part it administers as illegal. The latest statement reaffirms this stance, but the international community has not yet responded to India's call for scrutiny. The situation in the region remains tense as the next phase of elections is awaited.
