J&K politicians urge UN, PM Modi to intervene over PoK killings

SRINAGAR: Political parties in J&K urged Centre and international human rights organisations to intervene after more than 2 dozen people were allegedly killed in firing by Pakistani security forces in PoK over the past 2 days, where unrest has spiralled into deadly clashes.National Conference president Dr Farooq Abdullah urged UN Human Rights Council to send a team to PoK and asked PM Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar to raise the issue with Pakistan. “If PoK is our part, then why is Centre not protesting? Why don’t you demand that whatever is happening there should stop,” Abdullah said Wednesday.CPM legislator MY Tarigami demanded an immediate end to force against unarmed protesters, release of all detainees, unhindered access to food and medical care, and an independent inquiry into the alleged killings. “We share the grief of the people of PoK at this moment of loss and repression,” he said.PoK has been on the boil for about a month after authorities banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) and intensified a crackdown on its workers. Formed in 2003, JAAC has been demanding abolition of 12 seats in 53-member PoK assembly reserved for refugees from J&K who settled in Pakistan after 1947. It says those seats have long enabled major Pakistani political parties to influence govt formation in PoK.Get the latest India News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.