MUZAFFARABAD: Inspector General of Police Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Captain (Retd.) Liaquat Ali Malik, has strongly criticised the banned Action Committee, accusing its members and alleged extremists of damaging public infrastructure, disrupting daily life and attacking security personnel under the guise of peaceful protest.
Speaking during an important interaction with media representatives, the AJK police chief said roads worth billions of rupees had allegedly been dug up and destroyed during protests. He further alleged that trees were cut down and handed over to the timber mafia.
Captain (Retd.) Liaquat Ali Malik said officials associated with the banned Action Committee had themselves announced plans to shut markets and bazaars, warning that such actions were damaging the local economy and ordinary people’s livelihoods.
He also blamed the committee’s protests for severely affecting tourism and education in Azad Jammu and Kashmir.
According to the IG, security personnel have been martyred and hundreds injured during clashes with protesters. He alleged that some protesters had used women as human shields while allegedly opening fire on security forces.
The police chief stressed that security forces were exercising maximum restraint and had refrained from retaliatory firing despite attacks against them.
“Individuals equipped with modern and prohibited weapons such as M4 and M7—what part of a peaceful protest are they?” the AJK IG questioned.
He further said that those who allegedly destroy livelihoods, kill or abduct innocent people, and carry out grenade attacks on security posts cannot be described as peaceful protesters.
Captain (Retd.) Liaquat Ali Malik’s remarks come amid heightened tensions surrounding protests in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, with authorities maintaining that law and order must be protected while distinguishing legitimate public grievances from violence and criminal activity.
By Voice Of Asia News Uk
