New Delhi |: India has strongly criticized the so-called local body elections held in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), describing them as a “sham” that cannot conceal the ground realities in the region. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also condemned Pakistan’s handling of ongoing public protests in PoK, alleging that the Pakistani military has responded with excessive force against civilians.
Speaking during a regular media briefing, MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that the elections do not reflect the aspirations of the people and instead serve as an attempt to divert attention from growing public unrest and allegations of human rights violations.
India Questions Credibility of the Elections
According to Randhir Jaiswal, the local body elections conducted in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir cannot be viewed as a genuine democratic exercise.
“The so-called local elections in PoK are a mockery. The real story is the widespread public protests and the indiscriminate killings allegedly carried out by the Pakistani Army. Such hollow exercises cannot hide the reality on the ground,” he said.
India asserted that electoral processes cannot substitute for addressing the concerns of local residents, who have reportedly been protesting over governance and economic issues.
Allegations of Human Rights Violations
The Ministry of External Affairs alleged that since June 2026, at least 90 civilians have reportedly lost their lives during the ongoing crackdown by Pakistani security forces in PoK.
According to the Indian government’s statement, the authorities have responded to public dissent through:
- Use of live ammunition against protesters
- Power outages
- Intimidation and threats
- Administrative repression
- Security operations against demonstrators
The Indian government stated that such actions raise serious concerns regarding the protection of human rights and civil liberties in the region.
Background of the Protests
Large-scale demonstrations have been taking place across Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir since last month.
According to reports cited by the Indian government, the protests have been driven by public dissatisfaction over:
- Rising inflation
- Alleged administrative neglect
- Political discrimination
- Reported mistreatment of minority communities
- Economic hardships
The protests have drawn participation from various sections of society demanding greater accountability and improved governance.
Long March Led by JAAC
The demonstrations have been led by the Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), a civil society platform active in PoK.
During a long march from Rawalakot to Muzaffarabad held toward the end of last month, Pakistani security forces allegedly used lethal force against protesters.
According to the information cited by the Indian government:
- Around 40 civilians were reportedly killed during the march.
- More than 33 protesters sustained injuries.
These figures have been highlighted by Indian officials while criticizing Pakistan’s response to the protests.
Appeal for International Investigation
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has reportedly appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and international human rights organizations to conduct an independent investigation into what it described as “unlawful killings” during the protests.
The organization has called for an impartial inquiry to establish the facts surrounding the reported use of force against demonstrators.
India Calls for Accountability
India stated that the Pakistani establishment should be held accountable for its actions in PoK and urged the international community to closely examine Pakistan’s record on human rights.
According to MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, the international community should recognize what India described as the contradiction between Pakistan’s statements on human rights in global forums and the situation in territories under its control.
A Sensitive and Long-Standing Issue
Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK) remains a long-standing point of dispute between India and Pakistan, with both countries maintaining differing positions on the region.
India has consistently maintained that the entire region of the former princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, including PoK, is an integral part of India. Pakistan, meanwhile, administers the territory and rejects India’s claims.
The latest developments surrounding the local body elections and the ongoing protests have once again brought international attention to the political and human rights situation in the region. The allegations made by India and the appeals for an independent investigation are likely to keep the issue under diplomatic and international scrutiny in the coming weeks.
