PoK protest enters day 76, parallel village bodies formed

The Awami Action Committee (AAC) has announced the formation of parallel administrative bodies in villages across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as the uprising enters its 76th day. AAC leader Sardar Aman Khan declared a Political Committee, Finance Committee, and Defence Committee in each village to enforce directives from Rawalakot, with defence committees tasked to organise local self-defence against state forces.

Unarmed demonstrators have attempted to march to Muzaffarabad four times between June 9 and August 23, with Pakistani Rangers and Frontier Constabulary opening fire each time. Over 133 civilians have been killed since the unrest began. The newly formed village defence committees are now instructed to lead the next march and counter paramilitary gunfire. Residents in Palandri set up road blockades to halt Pakistani army reinforcements, and Khan warned military forces to withdraw from urban areas.

Khan threatened that if the state rules through bullets, the public will respond with bullets, and announced a march to restore food supplies cut off by a two-month blockade, hinting at opening alternative trade routes toward India. Markets and schools remain closed, with shops allowed to open only on Tuesdays and Fridays from 2 PM. Thousands have joined a civil non-cooperation movement, boycotting government offices and settling disputes through civil committees.