JAMMU, June 13, 2026 : Members of the displaced Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) community staged protests in Jammu on Saturday, condemning the reported killing of civilians in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir and urging the Government of India to raise the issue forcefully before the international community.
The demonstrations were organized by the BJP PoJK Refugee Cell and SOS International, a registered organization representing people displaced from PoJK. Protesters denounced what they described as continued repression and violence against civilians across the Line of Control and called for immediate intervention to safeguard innocent lives.
According to reports, more than 20 people have been killed and several others injured in police action in PoJK following protests against a ban imposed on the Jammu and Kashmir Joint Action Committee. The committee had been campaigning for subsidized electricity and flour, besides demanding restoration of political and economic rights for local residents.
BJP activists, led by Surinder Singh Gilli, gathered at the Jammu Press Club before marching towards the statue of Maharaja Hari Singh near Tawi Bridge. The protesters raised slogans against Pakistan and expressed solidarity with the people of PoJK.
Addressing the gathering, Gilli accused Pakistan of suppressing peaceful democratic voices in PoJK.
“People in PoJK are protesting for their basic rights and essential amenities, but their peaceful demonstrations are allegedly being met with bullets. Such actions are unacceptable and deserve global condemnation,” he said.
Gilli appealed to the United Nations, international human rights organizations, and the Government of India to take cognizance of the situation.
“We urge Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Home Minister Amit Shah to expose Pakistan’s actions before the international community. The people of PoJK are our own, and we stand firmly with them in their struggle for justice and dignity,” he added.
In a separate demonstration at Bakshi Nagar, SOS International Chairman Rajiv Chuni also voiced concern over the reported violence and called upon India to uphold its longstanding position on PoJK.
Referring to the unanimous resolution passed by the Indian Parliament declaring PoJK as an integral part of India, Chuni said the current developments present an opportunity to reaffirm that commitment.
“India should take all possible steps to protect the lives and property of people facing repression and violence. Reports of innocent civilians being targeted are deeply concerning and warrant international attention,” he said.
The displaced community traces its origins to the large-scale migration from PoJK during the conflicts of 1947, 1965, and 1971, when thousands of families crossed into India and settled in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Meanwhile, BJP leader Jahanzaib Sirwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the Government of India to adopt stronger political, diplomatic and humanitarian measures in support of the people living in PoJK.
In his letter, Sirwal stated that while India has consistently maintained its principled position on PoJK, the current circumstances require a more visible and proactive response.
“Our commitment towards the people of PoJK cannot remain limited to resolutions and statements. It is time to demonstrate through meaningful action that India stands firmly with those whom we have always regarded as our own,” Sirwal wrote.
The protests highlighted growing concern among displaced PoJK communities regarding the situation across the border and renewed calls for greater international scrutiny of developments in the region.
