Islamabad Police Crackdown on Baloch Demonstrators

News Desk

Islamabad: Baloch demonstrators, protesting against enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in their province, faced a forceful crackdown by police in Islamabad.

The government claimed most protesters, including women and children, were released, but social media videos contradicted this, as women were forcibly placed on buses last night and police officials were on their guard. The day started with police action, arresting around 200 protestors, including families of missing Baloch people.

According to details, the situation escalated as protesters were met with police force near the Red Zone, resulting in hospitalizations and subsequent detainment from hospitals. Further raids on Baloch residents’ homes led to more arrests. The government ministers asserted that only those causing disturbances were targeted, denying any action against peaceful protesters who had been demonstrating for weeks.

Contrary to this, the Baloch protesters’ counsel claimed over 50 women went missing after the police intervention. The court summoned the police chief, who denied holding women or children, attributing arrests to protesters’ attempts to breach the Red Zone.

28th day of the movement against Baloch Genocide; the detained females have been released at last after 26 hours of humiliation, harassment and torture from Islamabad Police.
Still, 162 of our male associates have been shifted to Adiala Jail and more than 50 males detained in…

— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (Islamabad) (@BYCislamabad) December 22, 2023

In court, the Chief Justice stressed citizens’ right to protest, dismissing terrorism allegations. Questions arose regarding charges against the protesters, with assurances that most charges were bailable. The court directed the protesters’ representatives to engage with the police for their version and sought a report.

Protests erupted in Balochistan against the treatment of demonstrators, leading to blockages on highways and sit-ins in various cities. Political figures condemned the crackdown, urging immediate release and even hinting at resignation if efforts failed.

In a press conference, a trio of caretaker ministers—Fawad Hassan Fawad, Murtaza Solangi, and Jamal Nasir—stated that all women and children had been released, except for unidentified men who would be freed after an inquiry directed by the IHC, scheduled for Friday.

Following a late-night crackdown, the caretaker PM formed a committee to engage with the protesters. Minister Fawad emphasized the government’s prior inaction despite the Baloch protesters’ 23-day sit-in at the National Press Club.

He claimed police confirmed that protesters from Balochistan hadn’t caused disturbances, attributing disruptive actions to some unidentified individuals who allegedly threw stones at police officials preventing access to the Red Zone.

However, the counsel for the Baloch protesters conveyed to the IHC that over 50 Baloch women protesters were missing post-police intervention on Wednesday night.

Islamabad Police have deployed water hoses and baton-charged peaceful Baloch demonstrators protesting extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances in #Balochistan since November 23. This evening, the police prevented the demonstrators from entering the capital city. pic.twitter.com/HT3FR9CxWr

— Kiyya Baloch (@KiyyaBaloch) December 20, 2023

During the hearing, Attaullah Kundi and Imaan Mazari argued the protesters’ right to demonstrate, criticizing the arrests without clear cause.

IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq summoned IGP Akbar Nasir Khan, who denied holding women or children, stating that 16 women were briefly detained and released. The IGP contended that protesters attempted to breach the Red Zone, leading to police action, citing security concerns and past instances of terrorism.

Justice Farooq emphasized citizens’ right to protest, challenging the police’s handling and questioning the charges against the protesters. Director Law Tahir Kazim mentioned various Pakistan Penal Code sections for which the protesters were booked, noting that most were bailable except for armed robbery (Section 395).

Read More:https://thepenpk.com/hrcp-demands-unconditional-release-baloch-detainees/

He highlighted that those detained under the Tarnol police jurisdiction were not charged with armed robbery, with a judicial magistrate already ordering their release.

The IHC CJ directed the protesters’ representatives and counsel to engage with Islamabad SSP (Investigation) for their version and requested a report from the police.