PoK people appeal to India for aid as Pakistan blockade sparks humanitarian crisis

New Delhi, July 6: The appeal by the people of Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) to the Indian government for assistance underscores the depth of the crisis unfolding in the region.
Protests have continued across PoK for more than a month, with neither the demonstrators nor the Pakistani establishment showing any signs of backing down.
An official said that the nature of the appeal is particularly worrying, as people in PoK are seeking medicines and essential food supplies from India. This, the official added, reflects the gravity of the humanitarian situation in the region.
Indian officials monitoring the developments said that, on the instructions of Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Pakistani establishment has blocked the supply of ration and medicines to the region for the past 20 days.
Officials said the Pakistani establishment is attempting to starve the people of PoK into abandoning their protests. “There is a full-blown economic blockade of the region,” an official said.
The people are facing acute shortages of food, while those injured during the protests are being denied essential medical care. Officials said the blockade began with the suspension of ration supplies and was later extended to medicines, further worsening the humanitarian situation. Many residents are now attempting to flee PoK and cross into India.
The crackdown is brutal, and many are unable to take it any longer and want a safe passage into India. Sardar Aman, a leader of the Joint Awami Action Committee, has appealed to the Indian government to open the Line of Control. (IANS)