Kashmiri activists staged a protest outside the Pakistan Consulate in UK’s Bradford on Tuesday, condemning what they described as atrocities by Pakistani security forces in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and demanding justice for civilians reportedly killed during recent demonstrations.The protesters accused Pakistani authorities of using excessive force against people protesting in the Rawalakot and Mirpur regions over the past two days. According to activists, several people were killed after security forces allegedly opened fire on demonstrators demanding basic rights and improved governance.Holding placards and raising slogans outside the consulate, the protesters urged the international community to take note of the situation.The unrest has also drawn international attention, with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) expressing concern over the continuing violence.UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk appealed for calm, saying a “wave of unrest” had resulted in significant casualties.“Dozens of people, mostly protesters but also law enforcement personnel, have reportedly been killed since June,” Türk said, urging restraint and respect for human rights.India reiterates its positionIndia has reiterated its long-standing position on the developments in PoK. On July 14, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the protests were a “direct consequence” of Islamabad’s decades-long “systemic exploitation and administrative oppression” in territories under its “forcible” occupation.The MEA also criticised the reported use of force against protesters and maintained that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including the areas under Pakistan’s control, are integral and inalienable parts of India. It further asserted that Pakistan remains in “illegal and forcible occupation” of parts of these territories.Earlier today, MEA also dismissed the legislative assembly elections being held in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK), calling the exercise a “cosmetic” attempt by Islamabad to legitimise its “illegal occupation” of the region.Responding to reports on the polls, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal reiterated that the entire Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including areas currently under Pakistan’s control, are an integral part of India.
