Locals in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) have hit the streets to protest against the rigged July 21 election. Huge protests were witnessed in the Muzaffarabad, Kotli, Chinari and Mirpur, after the members of the PML(N) allegedly killed a supporter of the Muslim Conference (MC) in Muzaffarabad.

The protesters alleged that they were not allowed to cast their votes and Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency and others rigged the polls in favour of Sharif's PML(N). The PML-N has bagged 31 seats out of the 41, while the Muslim Conference and Pakistan People's party bagged three seats each.

Locals allege that elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir have always been fixed in favour of the federal ruling party.

The protests have spread across the towns of Kotli, Chinari, Mirpur and Muzaffarabad. The administration in Pakistan has issued a warning to clamp down on any reporting by media.

Sharif has stressed the need to improve the relations with India in his successful campaign for the last general election in 2013, but the powerful army, which oversees security and foreign policies, is seen as wary of making big concessions quickly.

Last year reports had emerged that residents of PoK were openly advocating to be a part of India. They were said to be impressed with PM Narendra Modi's style of governance. Chairman of the Anjuman Minhaj-e-Rasool, Moulana Syed Athar Hussain Dehlavi, who had toured PoK had said that people residing in the region want to be a part of India. According to Dehlavi, the people of the region are distressed with growing extremism in Pakistan and want to lead a peaceful life. Given the opportunity, they would want a referendum so that they can vote to join back India.

The situation of people of Pakistan occupied Kashmir is very bad as there is no primary facilities in PoK for the people like drinking water, roads, employment and houses. Pakistan army killed people of PoK without any reason. At this they did not talk about the human rights.

(Video Source: ANI News)

By Premji