PoK Election Commission Indefinitely Defers Polls In Wake of Protests, UN Calls For Accountability
New Delhi: The election commission of the Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) has indefinitely deferred elections in seven out of 11 constituencies in Poonch division in wake of the massive protests and rallies in the area.
The elections, which were scheduled to be held on August 10, were deferred after Sardar Aman Khan, one of the protesting leaders appealed to all Kashmiris from both PoK and Indian side to stand with them and get rid of the current regime, reported Deccan Chronicle.
Meanwhile, United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres has called for accountability for the action taken against people of PoK engaging in peaceful protest.
“If you (politicians) are our representative then you must come to us here. Your three generations have thrived on us, on our tax money. If you don’t come here then in Rawalkot I will say Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un for you…People have died but it did not bother you at all,” said Khan, who is from the Joint Awami Action Committee, which is labelled and banned by Pakistan as a terror organisation.
“People are dying here, your job is to stand with the people. You have been seeking votes in our names…This a message for all politicians that there is no forgiveness for anyone,” added Khan.
The PoK election commission has said that the elections have been deferred in view of concerns regarding the law and order situation in areas of Poonch and Pilandri districts.
“If you don’t come and stand with the people, then even your graves won't be in this country and this land, forget the future of your children. People died here and nothing bothered you...We appeal to all Kashmiris from this side and the other side in India that let's stand together and get rid of this regime. People from Srinagar, Poonch, Ladakh..come and stand with us,” said Khan, reported Deccan Chronicle.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk has called for prompt, thorough and impartial investigations into all deaths including that of protesters and members of the security forces that have occurred due to the unrest.
Last month, clashes with security forces had killed at least 20 people, according to Al Jazeera. The report says that security forces opened fire at protesters. The Guardian had also reported that at least 30 people have been killed, noting that they were all unarmed.
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