Karachi: Pakistan’s security agencies have picked nine Baloch students from Karachi, the capital of Sindh province on October 16, 2024. Following the abduction of these students, Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) announced plans to hold a peaceful protest at Karachi Press Club on Sunday, October 20, 2024, to raise their voice against the enforced disappearances.
There has been a rise in the abduction of Baloch people, with many Baloch students being taken from Karachi, Lahore, and various parts of Balochistan, including Dera Bugti, Nushki, Kalat, Turbat, Winder, Naal, and Panjgur. Local reports indicate that more than 50 Baloch have been abducted this month alone.
On Sunday, October 20, a heavy police force was arrayed around the Karachi Press Club, reminiscent of last Sunday October 13, when police were deployed to prevent a peaceful protest by Sindhis against religious extremism. The Chief Minister of Sindh government Murad Ali Shah has previously stated that his government strongly supports the right to peaceful protest. However, the same provincial government repeated its violent action, this time against a peaceful protest organized by Baloch, BYC.
Sammi Deen Baloch, an awarding-winning human rights activist, spoke to The Rise News that Baloch are being punished simply for being Baloch. They cannot raise their voices against being abducted by agencies. “When I was coming to Karachi Press Club (KPC), I was stopped and questioned about my presence there, just because I was wearing a Balochi dress.” She said. She criticized that others were allowed to hold protest, while preventing the Baloch from doing so. She was determined that she and her fellow Baloch would record the protest, as it was essential for abducted Baloch students.
Police Lead Violence and Abduct Baloch Activists
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) and Baloch people led a protest beside the Karachi Press Club because other activists were already holding a protest. When they opened their placards, police, in heavy numbers, appeared and warned them not to hold a protest. Sammi and Lala Abdul Wahab Baloch, who were leading the protest, requested the police to allow them to record a peaceful demonstration, but their request went unheard. The police continued to disturb them, not even allowing the protesters to deliver their three-minute speech.
Despite the tense situation, the protesters managed to hold their peaceful protest. Afterwards, Lala Abdul Wahab and Sammi spoke to the media, stating that they had no intention of confronting the police. They believed the police were trying to provoke them to incite aggression, providing an excuse to abduct the young boys participating in the protest. Consequently, BYC leadership announced the end of the protest. However, the police did not give them time to disperse, continuing to pursue the protesters and attempting to detain young Baloch boys.
Eventually, , BYC, Central Deputy Organizer Lala Wahab Baloch, along with four others – Saif Baloch, Attaullah Baloch, Babul Baloch, and Aftab Baloch – were arrested, and a First Information Report was registered against them. They were currently detained at the Artillery Maidan Police station Saddar, but their whereabouts are unknown, as they may have been taken to an undisclosed location. After facing criticism, the police later confirmed their presence at the police station.
Men in plainclothes instructed police on whom to arrest. At one point, policeman lost his temper and asked men in plainclothes whom they should apprehend. Subsequently, they detained Lala Abdul Wahab and four other Baloch people.
Meanwhile, the policemen and men in plainclothes mocked Baloch women protesters who were chanting against enforced disappearance, taunting them with shouts of “Pakro, Aray Pakro,” meaning arrest, arrest.” When Baloch women turned to see who was being arrested and found no one, the men in plainclothes and policemen laughed at them. This was not a moment of humor; instead, it was painful to witness the young Baloch girls’ faces filled with worry and fear of being abducted for raising their voices against injustice.
Sammi asked police to stop harassing them as they were about to disperse, but the police did not allow it. Instead, they forced the protesters to move from one direction to another. “I am here to tell my people to end a protest, but you (Police) are not letting us disperse,” Sammi said angrily. “What do you want?”
Aamna Baloch, an activist, stated that even without Section 144 in effect, the state would impose it against Baloch to stop them from holding a peaceful protest. Baloch are not allowed to speak out against injustice. “The state can abduct and kill our Baloch, and the state assumes we just remain silent. But the state is mistaken; we will never be silent.”
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