MUZAFFARABAD: Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s (AJK) Poonch and Mirpur divisions would hold a “peaceful” wheel-jam and shutter-down strike on Tuesday on the pattern of a similar activity in Muzaffarabad division on Thursday last against “inflated power bills” and other issues of public concern.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of traders’ community from almost all towns of Poonch division, comprising four districts, and some parts of Mirpur division, which comprises three districts, in Rawalakot on Saturday.

A similar decision was taken at a meeting of lawyers and members of other civil society organisations in the lakeside city of Mirpur.

Sardar Umar Nazir, a traders’ leader, told reporters in Rawalakot that the joint meeting was attended by the majority of the Poonch division and some of the Mirpur division’s traders’ organisations, a faction of the transporters body, a public action committee and civil society representatives.

“All markets and bazaars will remain closed from dawn to dusk and public transport vehicles will also stay off-road on September 5,” he said, adding since the union of vehicles carrying students had also supported the strike private educational institutions would also remain closed according to the decision of their association.

Mr Nazir said the participants of the meeting raised their hands to establish that all decisions were taken with complete consensus.

He said it had also been decided that law and order would be maintained and roads would not be closed by force.

“The voluntary wheel-jam strike will be completely peaceful. If any violent activity takes place anywhere, it will have nothing to do with our movement and cause,” he maintained.

Poonch division, it may be recalled, had already taken a lead in mobilising the masses on issues of public concern. Initially, the focus of protests was the alleged unavailability of subsidised wheat flour and a sit-in was also launched in Rawalakot on this issue. However, afterwards, the arbitrary increase in power tariff as well as “uncalled-for increase in the luxuries of the ruling elite” and some other unaddressed issues became the focal point of protests.

On August 3, a massive rally was staged in Rawalakot on this issue and on August 22, around 9,000 electricity bills were torched at two different locations in the town, setting a trend for the rest of the country.

In Mirpur, a meeting of lawyers and other civil society members was held under the aegis of District Bar Association (DBA), which has been at the forefront of a campaign to seek redress for the grievances of the residents of the lakeside city and its adjoining areas.

Speaking at the meeting, DBA President Kamran Tariq announced formation of reception, administrative and other committees for the success of the wheel-jam and shutter-down strike on Tuesday.

It was decided that a huge public meeting would be held in the town on Tuesday, and only vehicles bringing participants from other parts of the division would be allowed up to their designated parking lot until 10am.

“Let me declare that the September 5 protest will be peaceful. However, if our demands are not met, we cannot guarantee peaceful protests in the next phase,” Mr Tariq said.

There were unconfirmed reports that AJK Prime Minister Chaudhry Anwarul Haq, who comes from Bhimber district in Mirpur division, had been trying to persuade people to call off the strike.

Alluding to it, Mr Tariq said talks might be held with the premier, but only after September 5 and that too if he had anything to offer as a relief to the dearness stricken public.

“Instead of persuading and forcing your own people, it is better to talk to the government of Pakistan on these issues. We will stand behind you for the achievement of the just rights of your people and area,” he said.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2023