Ishkoman Protests – Cases registered against more than 3 dozen people, five demands accepted

PT Report

Chatorkhand, December 12: While accepting five demands of the residents of protesters, the government has also registered cases against over three dozen people on the charges of rioting and damaging power houses.

The PWD has said that people of Ishkoman cannot be exempted from power load-shedding due to a shortage in supplies.

The residents of Ishkoman valley had come to roads en-masse to register their protests against power cuts. The protests, considered to be    the largest in the history of the valley, continued for four days.

There are rumours that the protesters accused of rioting will be charged under ATA (Anti-Terrorism Act) laws.

Human Rights observers and analysts have expressed concerns over the excessive usage of ATA laws against protesters across Gilgit – Baltitstan.

It is pertinent to note that the protesters in Hunza are also being tried under ATA laws.