Rain of lathis, water cannons in Pakistan…Pak’s brutality on Baloch protesters; 200 people in custody

The long march of Baloch protesters against the killing of Baloch youth in Pakistan was stopped by the police on Thursday before it could enter Islamabad. Police used water cannon to disperse the crowd of protesters. There was lathicharge on the protesters.

200 protesters detained
Police have forcibly detained 200 protesters and taken them to an unknown place. Prominent leader Mehrang Baloch is also among the arrested protesters. However, the caretaker government of Pakistan has released all the women and children arrested during the police action against Baloch protesters in Islamabad. Protestors under the banner of Baloch Yak-Jehti Committee (BYC) had launched a long march from Dera Ghazi Khan to Islamabad on December 19 against state-sponsored violence.

Protestors are being taken to unknown places
Let us tell you that in November, 24-year-old Baloch youth Mola Baksh died in police custody. Since then, Baloch youth have been protesting in various cities. BYC said in an ex-post that on Thursday, when the march was trying to enter Islamabad, the Punjab Police lathicharged them. Dozens of protesters were injured, including women. Police started arresting Baloch protesters from Wednesday night itself. Dozens of Baloch protesters were first kept in the police station and then later taken to unknown locations.

High Court reprimands police for arrest of protesters
Islamabad High Court on Thursday reprimanded the police over the illegal arrest of Baloch protesters. The High Court said that peaceful demonstration is the constitutional right of every citizen. Chief Justice Amir Farooq had summoned Inspector General of Police (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan in this case.

The Chief Justice questioned the IG regarding the arrest of women protesters. He has sought a report from the IG by Friday regarding the number of people sent to custody and released. On the other hand, acting PM Anwarul Haq Kakar said that a five-member committee has been formed under the chairmanship of Minister Fawad Hasan to resolve the grievances of Baloch protesters. Those who have not violated the law will be released.