New Delhi, Aug. 4 -- India on Tuesday dismissed the recently held local body elections in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a "complete farce", saying the electoral exercise cannot conceal the ongoing unrest in the region, where at least 90 civilians have been killed in a continuing crackdown by Pakistani forces since June.
Responding to a question during the Ministry of External Affairs' weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said public protests and civilian deaths reflected the real situation in PoK rather than the elections.
"This so-called local election in PoK is a complete farce. The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality," Jaiswal said.
He said at least 90 civilians have lost their lives since June as Pakistani authorities continued their crackdown on protesters.
"The Pakistani establishment has answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression, and now seeks to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise," Jaiswal said. He added that Pakistan "must be held accountable, and the world should see through the flimsy veneer of Pakistan's hypocritical lecturing on human rights."
PoK has witnessed widespread protests since last month over rising living costs, alleged administrative neglect, political discrimination and reported atrocities against minorities. The demonstrations have been led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), including a long march from Rawalakote to Muzaffarabad late last month.
According to reports, Pakistani security forces used lethal force against JAAC protesters during the march. The crackdown reportedly left 40 civilians dead and more than 33 protesters injured. The JAAC has appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and international human rights organisations for an immediate and independent investigation into what it termed "unlawful killings".
Jaiswal also urged Pakistan to act against terrorism originating from its territory.
"We call upon countries to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and those promoting it. We call upon Pakistan to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil," he said.
On the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), Jaiswal reiterated that the agreement would remain suspended until Pakistan permanently ends its support for cross-border terrorism.
"The treaty is in abeyance and will remain so until Pakistan irrevocably and credibly abjures its support for cross-border terrorism," he said.
India had placed the IWT in abeyance after the Pahalgam terror attack in April last year, in which 26 civilians were killed, as part of a series of diplomatic and economic measures against Pakistan.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.