Muzaffarabad, May 20 -- Large protests erupted in Muzaffarabad in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) after activists and residents demanded an independent probe into the alleged abuse and unlawful detention of three girls, accusing police and influential individuals of suppressing justice.

Speaking at a public gathering, protesters claimed that one of the girls was 19 years old, while the other two were minors aged between 12 and 13. Demonstrators alleged that authorities attempted to misrepresent the case and initially portrayed the incident as a drowning-related matter rather than seriously investigating allegations of abuse.

They said the forum organising the protest stood "with the oppressed" and demanded that those responsi...