MUZAFFARABAD(National Times)- The standoff between law enforcement personnel and supporters of the proscribed Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) in Rawalakot seemed to be winding down, with officials claiming on Monday that the days-long protest had visibly shrink.
According to officials, who spoke to Dawn on condition of anonymity, the central gathering at the Eidgah Ground is steadily shrinking, with most participants from other areas having quietly left.
The majority of those still present are residents of nearby localities who arrive in the afternoon and return home late at night, an official said.
The official maintained that law enforcement personnel had only engaged armed activists, and ruled out the possibility of negotiations with the proscribed group, stating that its members would either have to surrender or face strict legal action.
Authorities have relaxed curfew-like restrictions in parts of Rawalakot, allowing shops to open for limited hours to aid residents.
Elsewhere in Azad Jammu and Kashmir, a shutter-down strike continued for the seventh consecutive day on Monday in several cities and towns, including Muzaffarabad. Both inter-city and intra-city public transport services remained entirely suspended across the region.
However, private vehicles and motorcycles moved freely on the mostly empty roads.
The continuous suspension of internet services has also affected banking operations, leaving many local residents completely unable to access cash.
In some urban areas, neighbourhood shops operated with partially raised shutters around sunset. Meanwhile, reports from several districts indicated severe shortages of medicines at pharmacies due to disrupted supplies from Abbottabad and Rawalpindi.
Reports further suggested that mobile fruit and vegetable vendors operating from Suzuki pickup trucks had begun serving customers in some localities.
A senior administration official said the government would not compel shopkeepers to reopen their businesses but would actively facilitate those willing to operate mobile outlets.
“If they do not want to open their shops, that is their choice. But they should not later object to the government allowing mobile vendors to do business,” he said.
AJK assembly meets today
Separately, the state government has summoned a session of the AJK Legislative Assembly at 2pm on Tuesday.
According to Legislative Assembly Secretary Amjed Latif Abbasi, the agenda includes legislation for the regularisation of ad hoc and B-1 employees in line with cabinet decisions taken June 5.
The House is also expected to discuss resolutions relating to Pakistan’s role in facilitating peace talks between the United States and Iran, as well as the recent helicopter crash in Muzaffarabad, he said.
