New Delhi, June 24 -- India on Tuesday dismissed Pakistan defence minister Khawaja Asif's remarks about an Indian hand in widespread protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, describing them as desperate attempts to deflect attention from Islamabad's human rights abuses. Asif, a critic of India, had contended that India had a role in supporting the protests in PoK that left 11 people dead and dozens more injured. The protests erupted after a local organisation demanded the abolition of 12 seats reserved for refugees from the Indian region of Jammu and Kashmir ahead of elections scheduled for July 27. When MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal was asked about the Pakistani defence minister's comments at a regular media briefing, he replied: "Such remarks are desperate attempts by Pakistan to cover up its own failings and deflect attention away from its human rights abuses." "We categorically reject these fabricated claims with the contempt that they deserve." The protests in Pakistan-occupied J&K, Jaiswal said, are a consequence of Pakistan's decades-long policy of "systemic economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in areas under its illegal and forcible occupation". The Pakistani state has responded to the protests with "extreme police brutality, blocking of essential supplies and medicines, internet blackouts and use of lethal force against unarmed civilians", he said. htc...