At least 15 people – 11 civilians and four security officers – have been killed in clashes between protesters and security forces in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, local authorities say.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) – a collective of activist groups – called on people to march to the regional capital Muzaffarabad to protest against the reservation of 12 seats for refugees in upcoming elections.
Authorities responded by accusing the group of sedition, banning it and ordering action against its leaders.
However, this has not deterred thousands of people from joining the march, leading to clashes with security forces in different parts of the region.
Local officials say that a massive convoy of protesters – more than 10,000 by official estimates – are four kilometres (2.4mi) outside the city of Rawalkot.
The Poonch district commissioner of Pakistan-administered Kashmir Sardar Waheed Khan told BBC Urdu that security officials were patrolling the area to ensure law and order, while residents had been told not to leave their homes.
He added that the convoy of protesters would not be allowed to pass through Rawalkot to go to Muzaffarabad.
BBC Urdu reporters say that local mosques are broadcasting announcements asking people not to leave their homes.
There are fears of further violence but Khan said that rule of law “would be ensured”.
Helicopters have also been flying surveillance flights in the state capital Muzaffarabad as well as in Rawalkot.
What has led to the violence?
BBC Urdu reports that the situation first escalated in Rawalakot earlier this week when protesters and security forces clashed.
Officials told the BBC that another three people had died in clashes in the city of Kotli on Tuesday.
At least 50 people have been injured in the clashes and the number of dead is expected to rise.
Amnesty International said in a statement on Tuesday that the “violent and sweeping crackdown” on the protests, which includes “an internet shutdown, mass arbitrary arrests, and deadly use of force”, “continues an alarming deterioration of human rights in the region”.
But despite the violence, the march to Muzaffarabad is still continuing, and the JAAC has also called for a general strike. An uneasy silence has now blanketed the city, with streets empty, businesses shuttered and police on patrol.
It’s unclear if these businesses were closed because of safety concerns, or if they were going on strike in solidarity with the JAAC.
One trader in Muzaffarabad told BBC Urdu that they had closed their shop not because of any organisation but out of their own free will. They said they would continue striking until their demands were met or an end to the strike was announced.
