Muzaffarabad Shuts Down as Clashes and Roadblocks Disrupt Election-Day Movement

MUZAFFARABAD: Muzaffarabad remained largely shut on Sunday as protesters blocked roads with stones and intermittent clashes with security forces continued ahead of the second phase of elections in Pakistan-administered Jammu and Kashmir.

Local journalist Farhan Tariq told Independent Urdu that businesses across the city were closed and traffic had been suspended at several locations because of roadblocks.

He said the main highway connecting Muzaffarabad with Neelum Valley had also been closed, while reports of tear-gas shelling continued to emerge from different parts of the city.

The unrest followed the reported death of a man during firing on Saturday. The deceased was identified as an employee of the University of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Local residents said the man was killed in firing by security forces, although the authorities had not confirmed that account at the time of reporting.

According to Tariq, security forces dispersed a protest sit-in on Saturday, but demonstrations and confrontations subsequently spread across the city.

Protesters also stopped Election Commission vehicles within the jurisdiction of Sadar Police Station, disrupting the movement of officials and election-related materials.

Despite the unrest, Muzaffarabad Deputy Commissioner Munir Ahmed said voting would proceed according to schedule. He maintained that the law-and-order situation was under control and that the administration had completed arrangements for peaceful polling.

The second phase of the Legislative Assembly elections is being held in Muzaffarabad Division and the constituencies reserved for refugees living in Pakistan. The elections have been overshadowed by weeks of JKJAAC-led protests, a security crackdown and disputed casualty figures.

Images and eyewitness accounts from Muzaffarabad showed blocked roads, damaged vehicles and a heavy security presence as polling began under tense conditions.