National Press Club scene of chaos as police arrest protesters, assault media

Islamabad: Federal police officers stormed into the National Press Club to arrest protesters demonstrating against violence in Azad Kashmir.

A small group of protesters was staging a demonstration outside the National Press Club in Islamabad against recent violence in Azad Kashmir. As police arrived on the scene, some protesters sought refuge inside the press club, prompting the police to forcibly enter the premises to arrest them.

During the operation, Islamabad police not only detained the protesters but also allegedly assaulted journalists and staff members inside the club. A photographer’s camera was reportedly broken, and vandalism was carried out in the cafeteria area.

Following the police’s forced entry, violence against staff, and destruction of property, journalists have called on higher authorities to take notice of the incident.

The protests stem from violent clashes that erupted in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) on Monday, September 29, during rival demonstrations. One person was killed and dozens injured, including a police officer.

On that Monday, at least one person lost their life and many were injured in the AJK capital amid a shutter-down and wheel-jam strike that also disrupted communication networks across the region.

The strike was led by the Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JKJAAC), which launched the protest after its demands were not met. Various groups held simultaneous demonstrations, accusing each other of inciting violence during otherwise peaceful protests.

Mobile and internet services were suspended across Azad Jammu and Kashmir from Sunday afternoon. The fatal clash occurred near Neelum Bridge, when a peace rally led by Muslim Conference leader Raja Saqib Majeed confronted JKJAAC protesters.

Subsequently, the federal and AJK governments invited protestors to resume negotiations to ease tensions. However, during the unrest, three police officers were killed on Wednesday.

The three-day shutter-down strike, along with a communications blackout, brought life in AJK to a standstill. The JKJAAC remains firm on its demands, and last week’s negotiations with federal ministers hit a deadlock over issues such as elite privileges and reserved seats for refugees.