RAWALAKOT, Jammu and Kashmir – July 27 (ONLINE) Police fired tear gas shells towards protesters Tuesday as protest demonstrations and rallies were carried out across the Poonch districtof Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) against massive electricity bills.
Spokesperson to the AJK’s Prime Minister, Irfan Ashraf however denied any such action taken by police. “AJK PM’s foremost priority is safeguarding public’s interest. Sardar Tanvir Ilyas is taking every possible step to provide relief to bewildered masses,” Ashraf said in a statement on Tuesday.
Moreover, the spokesperson said PM Tanvir Ilyas Khan had decided against adding up the power tariff in any capacity. “Event taking place at Thorar is shameful,” he said, pointing towards the ruckus between protesters and the AJK police.
However on the other end, sources said fierce protests have been going on throughout the district Poonch against hiked electricity prices and heavenly taxes imposed by the AJK government. Video footages showed police firing tear gas and angry protesters putting a police van on fire on late Wednesday night.
It is pertinent to mention here that despite needing only 400 Mega Watts of electricity to become load-shedding free zone, and currently producing up to 3000 Mega Watts of electricity, load shedding has been a dire problem of the people of AJK.
Protests and sit ins have been carried out in Poonch’s Rawalakot, Hajira, Khaigala and many other areas.
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