ISLAMABAD:State Minister for Interior Talal Chaudhry on Tuesday said the federal government would fully support the Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) administration to crush agitators seeking to disrupt the electoral process and undermine peace in the region.He stated this while speaking at a press conference in Islamabad alongside Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.Talal’s remarks came against the backdrop of violent clashes in Rawalakot involving supporters of the proscribed Jammu Kashmir Joint Awami Action Committee (JAAC).The AJK government had declared JAAC a proscribed organisation on June 5 under the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA), accusing the group of involvement in terrorism.The ban was imposed days before the committee’s planned June 9 protest demanding the abolition of 12 AJK Assembly seats reserved for refugees from Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) who migrated to Pakistan after 1947.Criticising the banned outfit, the minister said its campaign was “not a movement to secure rights, but one aimed at taking rights away from the people”.He alleged that the proscribed group was seeking to deprive Kashmiris of their right to vote and undermine the democratic process.He said the first phase of elections in Mirpur Division had served as a test of public sentiment, arguing that voters had clearly rejected attempts to derail the polls.Talal added that political leaders from both Pakistan and AJK had campaigned extensively across the region and that efforts to disrupt the electoral process were bound to fail.The minister further said that both domestic and foreign elements were involved in the unrest, alleging that the banned JAAC was attempting to divert international attention from the elections by fuelling instability in the region.Talal maintained that 37 of the committee’s 38 demands had already been accepted, describing the continued protests as unjustified. He alleged that when efforts to halt the elections failed to gain public support, some elements resorted to violence and disorder.He also claimed that acts of terrorism were being carried out under the guise of protest, adding that the use of weapons had no place in a genuine public demonstration.He vowed that the Centre would provide the AJK government with all necessary support to safeguard citizens and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.Speaking at the press conference, Information Minister Tarar said the people of AJK had overwhelmingly rejected the violent elements by participating in the electoral process.He said around 600,000 votes were cast across Mirpur Division, demonstrating public support for democracy despite attempts to create unrest.Tarar said that the banned group was opposed to Kashmir’s development, peace and its enduring relationship with Pakistan.He claimed that the banned JAAC was pursuing a foreign agenda and receiving funding from India, adding that its actions had exposed its intentions before the people of Kashmir and the international community.The minister said no one would be allowed to impose their will through intimidation or violence, adding that the state would take all necessary measures to maintain peace and stability in the region.