Jammu, June 12 -- The violent clashes between protesting people lead by Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and the Pakistan Rangers and Police in Rawalakot, Muzzafrabad and other towns in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK), resulting in the deaths of over dozen civilians, and some police personnel, expose a disturbing reality: all is far from well in the territory under Pakistan's control. Far from being an isolated law-and-order incident, the episode reflects the deepening alienation, frustration and anger simmering among the people of PoJK.
For years, residents of the region have grappled with political uncertainty, economic hardship, inadequate public services and a growing sense of marginalisation. Instead of addressing these ...