NEELUM VALLEY (Kashmir English): The Azad Kashmir government has initiated a crackdown against the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) protestors to prevent the planned protest on February 8 against the general elections held last year.
PTI has announced countrywide demonstrations to mark one year since the February 8 elections, which the party claims were rigged, prompting the authorities to take pre-emptive measures.
The district governments in Azad Kashmir imposed Section 144 in several districts including Neelum Valley.
Police arrested a dozen political workers including Neelum Valley District President Mian Akhlaq-ur-Rasoul under Section 144 to prevent the expected protest of the opposition party on February 8.
Sardar Naseem Baig was arrested from Kundal Shahi and shifted to City Police Station No. 8, police sources told Kashmir Digital. Police said arrests have been made for inciting the public to protest and violating Section 144.
PTI leader and Administrator Town Committee Keil Sardar Amjad was also taken into custody. PTI Youth Wing leader Aftab Hussain Tabassum and hundreds of other workers have gone into hiding.
On the other hand, in Haveli, the district authorities have started detaining workers ahead of the protest. Section 144 has also been imposed, banning any kind of procession or demonstration in the district.
According to Deputy Commissioner Haveli, Raja Imran Shaheen, Section 144 will be imposed in this district for three days.
Action will be taken against violators and arrests will be made for inciting the public to protest.
Earlier, the Jhelum Valley police detained PTI Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) General Secretary Advocate Zain Gilani.
The arrest of Zain Gilani has been strongly condemned by PTI leader and former assembly candidate Zeeshan Haider, who criticised the police and administration for resorting to retaliatory actions. “Oppression Cannot Deter Us,” says Zeeshan Haider.
Speaking on the matter, Zeeshan Haider accused the authorities of acting out of desperation to suppress the February 8 protests. “The police and administration are in a state of panic, resorting to oppressive tactics to silence us,” he said. “But let it be clear, such coercion will not weaken our resolve.”
