Thousands of British Kashmiris protest against PoK crackdown

London: Thousands of British Kashmiris marched from Parliament Square to Trafalgar Square in London on Sunday to protest against an alleged crackdown by Pakistani forces in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

Protesters waved banners and chanted slogans calling for a “revolution” against Paki­stani forces, demanding hu­m­an rights protections and support for the Joint Awami Ac­ti­on Committee (JAAC) in POJK. Demonstrators also called for action against alleged terrorism in the region.

Slogans including “Pakistan forces out” echoed through the march as protesters raised concerns over alleged civilian killings, harassment of women and the use of force against peaceful demonstrators. Placards highlighted recent unrest in the region, following similar protests outside the Pakistani Consulate in Bradford earlier this week.

The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has expressed concern over the regional government’s decision to ban the JAAC under anti-terrorism laws. 

Several civilians and police personnel were killed in recent clashes between police and JAAC activists in Rawalakot. India maintains that Pakistan illeg­a­lly occupies parts of the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.