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Leader of outlawed group arrested in Pakistan-administered Kashmir after deadly protests
Police arrested the JAAC leader after weeks of unrest over 12 refugee seats, and authorities say the protests left seven people dead.
On Tuesday, police in Pakistan-administered Kashmir arrested Shaukat Nawaz Mir, leader of the outlawed Joint Awami Action Committee , during a house raid. Government administrator Munir Qureshi confirmed the arrest.
The JAAC has led weeks of protests demanding the abolition of 12 seats in the Legislative Assembly reserved for refugees from Indian-controlled Kashmir, arguing the seats grant disproportionate political influence.
Mir faces sedition charges for allegedly inciting violence during protests earlier this month that left four security officers and three civilians dead. Authorities had announced a 10 million rupees reward for his arrest.
The regional government banned the JAAC earlier this month, citing threats to public order, after the Supreme Court of Pakistan-administered Kashmir ruled the refugee seats are constitutionally protected and cannot be abolished without amendment.
With the regional Legislative Assembly having completed its five-year term, the refugee seat issue has become a key political flashpoint ahead of elections scheduled for next month in the Himalayan region.