MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): Shoukat Hussain Sadozai, a councillor from Rawalakot and one of the founding members of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), has announced his dissociation from the organisation.
Shaukat Hussain Saduzai said that I am the founding member of the Banned Action Committee. Our main movement was related to flour and electricity; most of our demands have been fulfilled.
He said that as far as the issue of 12 seats for the refugees is concerned, it was a constitutional issue, not a public one. The Banned Action showed unnecessary stubbornness and obstinacy in the negotiations.
Shaukat Hussain Saduzai said that with time, the peaceful movement turned into an armed struggle, and people from other districts are abusing our ancestors by setting up a stage in Rawalakot.
He said that I regret and am ashamed that this platform is being used for anti-Kororist slogans and narratives. As an elected councilor, I cannot support the anti-state and anti-Pakistan narrative.
JAAC accused of blocking roads
The Poonch Division administration has accused armed members of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) of blocking major roads leading to Rawalakot and surrounding markets, creating food shortages.
In a statement, the administration alleged that miscreants associated with the banned JAAC blocked roads by cutting trees and placing stones on key routes, stopping transporters from delivering essential food items to Rawalakot and nearby areas.
It stated that when security personnel launched a joint operation to clear obstructions and reopen the roads, the action committee members opened fire in the Kotira Pothi Makwalan area.
It claimed that armed men positioned along roadsides and surrounding hills used modern weapons and fired thousands of bullets at security personnel, along with making announcements from nearby mosques to incite the people against the operation.
The administration claimed that armed groups had occupied several locations, including mosque premises and a high school building, and had maintained road blockades for nearly a month, affecting the movement of goods and people.
