Locals accuse Pak Army of illegal encroachment in PoK

Locals of Kotli district of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have accused Pakistani security forces of illegal encroachment.

The residents also launched agitation against the illegal encroachment of their land by the Pakistan Army.

Since past few years there has been a growing resentment against Pakistan among the residents of the illegally-occupied region.

United Kashmir People's National Party Chairman Shaukat Ali Kashmiri said, "the army encroaches farmers' land which is fertile and ideally located. Land grabbing is being done by implementing Army Act. Now, the army has begun encroaching private land and houses allotted to them as per new housing scheme. Cases have been reported in Kotli, Neelam Valley, Muzaffarabad, Poonch and Bagh. Land grabbing incidents are happening across PoK."

He further said that the ruling governments, be it PML (N), PPP or PTI, all have maintained silence on these incidents.

"They have failed to raise any issued concerning the people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir. Only, the local political parties have been raising the issues and the people are protesting against the forceful encroachment by the Army on people's private lands," he added.

Meanwhile, a member of United Kashmir People's National Party Jamil Maqsood also accused Pakistan military of occupying lands illegally, saying, before this the military of Pakistan had already occupied one playground in district Kotli.

"They are occupying all the important places, business areas, business places, commercial land," Maqsood added.

Locals in illegally-occupied PoK and Gilgit Baltistan often stage protests against Pakistan's ill treatment.

The residents blame Pakistan for exploiting their resources and for being responsible for the poverty and underdevelopment in the region.

Various leaders and activists also accuse the Pakistani Army and intelligence agencies of enforced disappearances and extra-judicial killings in the region.