Baloch leader wants commission on HR violations

INTERNATIONAL DESK: Baloch leader Dr Mahrang Baloch has demanded abolishment of Counter Terrorism Department (CTD), Balochistan, terming it a death squad.

Addressing the media here, the Baloch leader said a commission on human rights violations in Balochistan should be formed and the Ministry of Interior must apologise for the ‘crimes’ openly.

Members of Baloch Solidarity Council protested outside the National Press Club (NPC) in Islamabad in which political and social leaders and public participated in large numbers.

Mahrang Baloch said the protest was for the rights of the people of Balochistan. “We came to Islamabad in a long march with women. We have come from Turbat to raise our voice against enforced disappearances. We demand serious steps against enforced disappearances and killing of Baloch people,” she told newsmen.

She said the Punjab Police had cracked down on the protesters in Dera Ghazi Khan, arrested them and tortured them. Baloch women and protesters were also tortured in Islamabad, she claimed. Women were tortured at Chongi No 26 in Islamabad, she said.

Mahrang said peaceful protesters in different cities supported the Baloch march. The protesters who wanted to reach the Islamabad Press Club were stopped, she alleged.

The Baloch leader demanded release of all arrested workers. FIRs against peaceful protesters should be terminated, harassment of Baloch students and atrocities against Baloch women and youth must stop, she said.

The CTD and other institutions involved in illegal activities should be closed down and disappeared persons should be recovered, she said.

“We are issuing a three-day ultimatum to the State for the withdrawal of cases registered against peaceful protesters and release of over 100 Baloch students who are missing and who were arrested by the police in Islamabad during a crackdown,” Maharang Baloch said, adding, “Otherwise, the long march will be compelled to take harsh steps and the State and its administration will be responsible for this.”

Maharang said the police arrested some 350 students and activists during the crackdown while 33 of them had obtained bail from the court of law.

“More than 250 of our students are still in jail,” she said. “Out of them more than 100 have still not been presented before any court and their status remains missing.”

Former member National Assembly Ali Wazir, Peoples Party leader Farhatullah Babar and Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Mushtaq Ahmed were also present in the Baloch Yakjehti Council (BYC) protest.

Farhatullah Babar, talking to the media, said people who came to Islamabad for their rights were tortured. “Enforced disappearance is a violation of human rights and the victims should be released. If someone is involved in wrongdoing, he should be presented in the courts. Hatred is born from violence and by creating obstacles,” he added.

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed said missing persons was the worst form of human rights violation. If the State keeps the same attitude, the results would be disturbing. He said Islamabad police’s “violence” against innocent girls and women was condemnable.

The IG Islamabad should resign for cracking down on innocent people, he demanded. All the forcibly disappeared persons should be recovered, he further said.

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Police said in a statement that they had presented 162 arrested Baloch protesters before Judicial Magistrate Mureed Abbas, and they had all been granted bail and released.

The police said that around 200 protesters had gathered in a ground outside the NPC and had been allowed to hold “peaceful protest” as per the rules and regulations. “It is not permitted to take out a rally or gathering towards the high security zone,” the police said, adding that dozens of male and female police personnel had been deployed there for protection of demonstrators.

Meanwhile, political leadership, including PPP stalwart Farhatullah Babar, joined the protesting people to show solidarity with them.

Also, members of the cabinet committee Fawad Hasan Fawad and Murtaza Solangi along with Balochistan Governor Malik Wali Kakar held talks with the Baloch protesters.

Discussions were held in a very good atmosphere from both sides and both sides agreed to continue the negotiations, said a press release.

Meanwhile, Judicial Magistrate, Islamabad, Murid Abbas, on Saturday approved the bail of 162 arrested Baloch protestors. The court directed them to submit a surety bond of Rs5,000 each against their bail.

Advocates Qaiser Imam, Musaddiq Aziz Khattak and others were representing the protesters. They submitted before the court that the accused were innocent and had been falsely involved in the case. Additionally, they argued in court that the prosecution’s case was riddled with flaws and doubts and that the local police had mistakenly implicated the defendants.

After hearing the arguments and looking at the record, the judge granted bail to 162 accused. Bail was denied to 34 accused because they were on identity parade. (TIN)