In response to public outrage regarding the baton-charging and arrests of Baloch protesters, some of the arrested protestors, including women and children, have been released following negotiations between a government committee and representatives from Baloch Yekjehti Committee (BYC).
Earlier in the day, police in various areas of the federal capital apprehended numerous Baloch long march protesters after using water cannons and baton charges to break the protest against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings.
Visuals from Islamabad, where the Police is using water canons, tear gas and batons against Baloch protestors. Scores have been injured and arrested. pic.twitter.com/juO1yBsJci
— The Balochistan Post – English (@TBPEnglish) December 20, 2023
Social media footage showed security forces using water cannons and tear gas, as well as forcibly loading Baloch protesters into police vehicles.
Read more: Police baton charge, arrest Baloch long march protesters in Islamabad
Soon after the arrests, BYC filed a petition in the Islamabad High Court (IHC), and a hearing took place today. The IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq warned Islamabad Inspector General (IG) Akbar Nasir Khan against any hindrance in the protest, saying that they have the constitutional right of demonstration.
Later, Caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul Haq Kakar formed a three-member committee comprising of federal ministers for negotiations with the members of the BYC. Following the talks, an immediate order for the release of the detained individuals was issued.
The ministers, who were part of the committee, also held a press conference in the federal capital, clarifying that the government had proposed various locations for the protesters to stage their sit-ins, assuring them of all facilities at these places. However, the protesters were adamant about going to the Islamabad Press Club.
Also read: Baloch marchers stopped from entering Islamabad
Caretaker Privatisation Minister Fawad Hasan Fawad emphasised that peaceful protests had been ongoing outside the press club for several days, without any interference. However, he added that some elements joined the recent protests with the intention of causing trouble. “In response to these elements, the police took limited action and arrested some individuals,” he said.
He clarified that only those who had concealed their faces and engaged in stone-throwing and vandalism were dealt with, emphasising that the rule of law cannot be ignored. He assured that there was no intention to use any excessive force.
"We have been requesting the protesters to relocate to a place where better security could be provided. While those from Balochistan were peaceful, some individuals wearing masks [causing trouble] joined the protest here,” he added.
Fawad elaborated that all women and children have been released, along with the identified men. However, he added that a few individuals remain detained, and they are scheduled to be produced in the Islamabad High Court tomorrow morning following proper identification.
A day earlier, BYC members and other protesters were stopped from entering Islamabad. The long march was started against the alleged extrajudicial killing of Balach Baloch.
The Islamabad police blocked entry points of the city to prevent the protesters from reaching the National Press Club. The protest aimed to voice resentment until concrete action was taken against those implicated in the killing of Baloch.
The protesters, accuse the Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) of unjustly branding Balach Baloch a terrorist and carrying out his cold-blooded killing. The CTD vehemently denies these allegations, asserting that the incident resulted from an armed clash between "miscreants" and security forces in the Pasni road area of Turbat.
The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) had also criticised the police crackdown and urgently called "on the government to organise a delegation to meet the protesters and give their legitimate demands a fair hearing”.
HRCP strongly condemns the violent police crackdown on Baloch protestors in Islamabad, with women, children and the elderly subjected to unwarranted force in the form of water cannons and use of batons. Numerous women protestors have reportedly been arrested and separated from…
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) December 21, 2023
“This treatment of Baloch citizens exercising their constitutional right to peaceful assembly is inexcusable. It also reflects how little the state thinks of the protesters’ demand that their right to life and liberty be upheld.”.
Amnesty International, in a separate statement, had said it was concerned by the "excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch long march protestors".
"Dozens have been detained and several others injured, including women, minors and elderly persons, violating their rights to liberty, security and protest."
Pakistan: @amnesty is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on 21 December. Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been…
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) December 21, 2023
Amnesty further urged the government to conduct an impartial investigation of all "extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, particularly in Balochistan". The organisation further demanded compensation for the affected families.
Read the full story at the express tribune website.
