Cosmetic electoral exercise by Pak to camouflage illegal occupation: India, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• India condemned the ongoing elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), calling them an attempt by Pakistan to camouflage its illegal occupation and human rights violations.
• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, reiterated India's stance that the entire Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh, including areas under Pakistan's occupation, are integral parts of India.
• Protests led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) erupted in PoK against the elections, particularly concerning 12 reserved seats for migrants.
• Reports indicated alleged mass rigging in the first phase of elections, where the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) won nine out of 13 seats.

Detailed Insights:

• The elections in PoK are being held in three phases for 45 contesting seats in the legislative assembly, concluding on August 10.
• India views the mass protests in PoK as a direct consequence of Pakistan's economic exploitation, denial of fundamental rights, and administrative oppression in the region.
• The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), now banned in PoK, reported 14 activists killed and over two dozen injured during clashes with security personnel.
• The JAAC's protests, which began on June 9, specifically target the 12 reserved seats, alleging they are manipulated by Islamabad to install a preferred prime minister.
• India had previously criticized police brutality against protesters in PoK on July 14, highlighting systemic exploitation and administrative oppression.
• The Indian government's position is rooted in the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which formally integrated the region into the Indian Union as two Union Territories.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK): Territory administered by Pakistan, which India claims as part of its Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
• Ministry of External Affairs (MEA): The Indian government agency responsible for the country's foreign relations.
• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019: An Act of the Parliament of India that reconstituted the former state of Jammu and Kashmir into two union territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.