A founding member of the banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), Shoukat Hussain Sadozai, has announced his disassociation from the organisation.
Another individual has reportedly been appointed to its core committee, according to the latest reports.
The sources said that Shoukat Hussain Sadozai, a councillor from Rawalakot and one of JAAC’s founding members, has formally disassociated himself from the banned organisation.
Shoukat Sadozai, who was described as a close adviser to Umar Nazir Kashmiri, recorded a statement confirming that he had severed ties with JAAC.
In a separate development, a newly appointed core committee member of JAAC from Muzaffarabad had been approached by security officials but had not disassociated himself from the organisation.
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Rawalakot faces food shortages as banned JAAC road blockades disrupt supply routes
The banned Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC) has blocked the main roads connecting Rawalakot and nearby markets by cutting down trees, erecting barriers and placing stones on the roads, resulting in a shortage of food supplies in the area.
According to a statement issued by the Poonch Division administration, the closure of major roads has disrupted the supply of essential food items, while transporters are reluctant to deliver goods due to the actions of miscreants.
The administration stated in a press release that joint forces launched an operation to remove trees and other obstacles from the roads to restore traffic on the Bagh-Rawalakot route. However, armed individuals present at the Kumawan area allegedly opened fire on the forces.
According to the administration, the attackers had established barricades along the roads and used modern weapons, while announcements were also made to provoke the public. The statement added that an attempt was made to obstruct the forces’ movement by pelting them with stones.
The administration stated that armed men had blocked several routes for a month, held the entire village hostage, and occupied some government and public buildings. According to the press release, these actions disrupted the supply of food and essential items to ordinary citizens. The armed groups were present at five different locations, with Bagh and the Rawalakot Road area being the most affected.
The administration said that transporters are being allowed to deliver food and beverages through the Kohala route, while other closed routes will also be reopened in phases to restore normal life.
The press release further stated that some elements are misleading the public by portraying themselves as participants in a peaceful sit-in, whereas, according to the administration, they are armed individuals occupying positions with various weapons along the Rawalpindi–Rawalakot Highway and in nearby mountainous areas.
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