India, on Tuesday, dismissed the "so-called" local body elections in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as a "complete farce", noting that the exercise could not conceal the ground reality of protests and the crackdown by Pakistani security forces.
Responding to a question on the elections, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, during a weekly press briefing, said Pakistan was attempting to create an impression of legitimacy even as it continued to suppress public dissent in the region.
"This so-called local election in PoK is a complete farce. The real happening is that of public protests and wanton killings by Pakistani forces. Such hollow exercises cannot hide reality," Jaiswal said.
He said that since June this year, at least 90 civilians had lost their lives in the continuing crackdown in PoK.
Accusing Pakistan of responding to public anger with force, Jaiswal said, "The Pakistani establishment has answered public discontent with bullets, blackouts, intimidation and repression, and now seeks to manufacture legitimacy through a hollow electoral exercise."
"It must be held accountable, and the world should see through the flimsy veneer of Pakistan's hypocritical lecturing on human rights," he added.
PoK has witnessed widespread protests since last month over rising living costs, alleged administrative apathy, political discrimination and atrocities against minorities.
The Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC), which has been spearheading the protests, has alleged that Pakistani security forces used lethal force during its long march from Rawalakote to Muzaffarabad late last month. The crackdown reportedly left 40 civilians dead and more than 33 protesters injured.
The JAAC has also appealed to the United Nations Human Rights Council and international human rights organisations to conduct an immediate and independent investigation into what it described as "unlawful killings".
During the briefing, Jaiswal also reiterated India's position on terrorism, saying, "We call upon countries to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and those promoting it. We call upon Pakistan to take strong action against cross-border terrorism and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure operating from its soil."
On Pakistan's comments regarding India-Afghanistan ties, he said, "The comments made by the spokesperson of Pakistan reflect the Pakistani state's insecurity and frustration over the positive trajectory of India-Afghanistan ties."
Reaffirming India's position on the Indus Waters Treaty, Jaiswal said, "The treaty is in abeyance and will remain so until Pakistan irrevocably and credibly abjures its support for cross-border terrorism."
