Burnt-out vehicles, heavy security: PoK votes in second phase amid unrest

Pakistan conducted the second phase of legislative assembly elections in Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoK) on Sunday amid fresh unrest, with residents reporting burnt vehicles, rock-strewn roads and heavy security across parts of Muzaffarabad following clashes between protesters and security forces.The voting is taking place in the second of three phases for the 45 directly elected seats of the 53-member assembly. However, the polls have been overshadowed by nearly two months of protests, allegations of election irregularities, political boycotts and a security crackdown.Residents of Muzaffarabad said fresh violence ahead of polling had raised concerns that the unrest would dominate the election process. Local reports described burnt-out vehicles, roads blocked with rocks and a strong presence of police, paramilitary personnel and army troops in several areas after clashes between demonstrators and security forces.Heavy security, protests overshadow pollingPakistan has deployed a three-tier security arrangement across PoK, with police, Pakistan Rangers, the Federal Constabulary and around 2,100 army personnel guarding polling stations.The elections come against the backdrop of sustained protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been demanding greater political freedoms, economic reforms and the abolition of 12 assembly seats reserved for Pakistan-based refugees. The group has also sought better healthcare, education, employment opportunities and reduced political privileges.JAAC has boycotted the elections, arguing that the reserved refugee seats allow Pakistan's mainstream political parties to influence government formation in the region.The protest movement has intensified in recent weeks after talks with the authorities collapsed, leading to large demonstrations, strikes and clashes. Polling in two constituencies was postponed because of the deteriorating security situation.Rights groups, including the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, the United Nations and Amnesty International, have criticised the crackdown on protesters, internet restrictions and the ban imposed on JAAC under anti-terrorism laws.India rejects PoK pollsIndia has rejected the elections, describing them as a 'cosmetic' exercise aimed at legitimising Pakistan's 'illegal occupation' of the region.External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the entire Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, including areas under Pakistan's control are an integral part of India.He said the elections were an attempt by Pakistan to 'camouflage its illegal occupation' and conceal alleged human rights violations in the region."The current cosmetic electoral exercise is nothing but an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and hide its grave human rights violations in the region. The ongoing mass protest in the Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir is the direct consequence of its economic exploitation, its denial of fundamental rights to the people and its administrative oppression," Jaiswal had said earlier this week.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.