AJK: Long march heads for Muzaffarabad

An Awami Action Committee (AAC) led long march has left for Azad Jammu and Kashmir capital Muzaffarabad today.

A wheel-jam strike for subsidy on flour and electricity and against high taxes has entered its fourth day.

Rallies from across the valley are heading towards Muzaffarabad.

Protestors have staged sit-ins and closed Kohala–Muzaffarabad Road at several points. The key road stretches 40 kilometres, It links Kohala town with Muzaffarabad. Sources said that the protesters are expected to use the same road from Dhirkot to reach Muzaffarabad.

The AJK government called in the Rangers and police after clashes erupted in Mirpur during demonstrations. A police constable was killed and over 70 others injured in the clashes so far.

Ahead of long march, heavy contingents of police have been deployed at roundabouts and sensitive locations in Muzaffarabad. Trade centres, markets and educational institutes remain closed in the capital while transport is also suspended.

On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called an high-level meeting today to discuss the ongoing situation in AJK. Earlier, the talks between the protesters and the state government failed to reach a breakthrough.

President Asif Ali Zardari has also urged all the stakeholders to show restraint. The president asked the stakeholders to resolve the issues in through negotiations and mutual consultation.

Zardari stressed that the state institutions, political parties and the AJK people should act responsibly to foil the hostile elements’ bid to exploit the situation to their benefit.