Balach killing Balochistan still tense

Protests, strikes continue, business centres closed

QUETTA: Mostly business centres remained closed following the killing of banned Baloch Liberation Army leader Nawab Balach Mari and subsequent protest demonstration against his killing across Balochistan. Balochistan University and the Law College also postponed examinations for indefinite period.

People staged protest demonstrations and burned tires, vehicles, ambulances and shops in different areas. Police arrested about 83 protestors and established over 100 pickets in Quetta to control the situation. A major rally was brought in Panjgur city where the police started aerial firing and baton charged the protestors, said Rahmat Baloch, a former lawmaker.

Two local leaders of the Balochistan National Party and the Baloch National Movement were arrested during the protest demonstrations, he added. Baloch Students Organisation leader Kareema Baloch said that students also protested in Tump area in Turbat where police arrested two student leaders.

The students surrounded the police station as a protest where police opened aerial firing and teargas, she said. Unknown people opened fire at police in Khuzdar city where two constables were injured. The students also pelted stones at the government vehicles and buildings. Protestors torched a vehicle in Mastung and chanted slogans against the government.

Shutter down strike was observed in most parts of the southern Balochistan where shops and business centres remained closed all the day. Two blasts rocked Hub city, as a device exploded near a main transmission line of electricity that suspended power supply to the city. Second device went off near a school but no casualty was reported.

Police officials said that 25 people were arrested in Makran division and nine each in Naushki and Khuzdar where as about 50 were arrested in Quetta. But BSO leaders and local people claimed that many students and general people were arrested from different cities of the province. Hide and seek game was seen between police and protestors in Quetta especially at Saryab Road, Brewery, Faizabad, Jail Road, and Saddar area where protestor tried to block the roads and pelted stones on vehicles.

A police van and a government vehicle were damaged. An explosion was heard in Quetta late evening but the location was not found till the filing of this report.The mystery about the killing of Balach Mari was still not confirmed by the officials. Three different views were expressed regarding the incident of the killing. Majority of the sources were focusing that the incident held in Helmand (Afghanistan) where Balach was on his way in three vehicles. It was stated that his opponents have informed the US forces that Taliban were on the way to attack the US basis. It was stated that the US forces attacked the convoy where Balach was also killed along with his companions. It was stated that grandson of Nawab Akbar Bugti, Brahamdagh Bugti could be involve in this attack but Nawab Khair Bakhsh Mari denied and said that Brahamdagh could not do it.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.a ... _id=8241&fb_id=2&catid=14

Balach Marri’s killing

The news of the killing of the commander of the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balach Marri, set the province on fire on Wednesday. Riots, violent protests, armed attacks on security personnel, government buildings, property, etc, became the order of the day throughout the province. But the reports of the killing proved contradictory on two counts. First, there were at least three locations quoted for the incident, ranging from Helmand province in Afghanistan (in a mistaken Nato airstrike), to the Pak-Afghan border in the Nushki area, to Kahan area in Kohlu district in the Marri tribal area, the latter two at the hands of the Pakistani security forces. Second, although a BLA spokesman confirmed the martyrdom of the BLA commander, he was reluctant to give out any further information as to location or how many of his comrades may have been killed with him, for fear, he said, of compromising the safety of other BLA fighters. Similarly, although his elder brother Gazain Marri confirmed from self-exile in London that he had received a report about Balach’s death, he too refrained from giving any further details for the same reasons. Balach’s father, Nawab Khair Buksh Marri’s family sources in Pakistan however refused to confirm Balach’s death, saying they had not received any irrefutable information or details where his body may be.

While this reluctance on the part of Balach’s family may be ascribed to the shock and grief accompanying the loss, there is weight in the consideration of not jumping to premature conclusions on anything in Balochistan. Because of the lack of access of the media or independent observers to the areas of insurgency in the province, matters concerning Balochistan tend to be shrouded in a fog of uncertainty, the spin of the authorities and the occasional statements by BLA spokesmen notwithstanding. For example, the news of the whereabouts of Balach and even Bramdagh Bugti, the grandson of slain Nawab Akbar Bugti, since Bugti’s fateful killing in 2006, have been full of contradictions, sometimes placing them in the Marri-Bugti area, sometimes in other parts of Balochistan, and more recently, in Afghanistan. In the absence of independent media access and reports, it is wiser to refrain from judgement in Balochistan until irrefutable evidence is in.

That said, given the expected violent reaction in Balochistan to the news, it would be instructive to consider the impact and implications of the killing of Balach Marri, if and when the news turns out to be true. For one, the violence that broke out in the province in reaction on Wednesday may be repeated in the days ahead. Gazain Marri voiced the apprehensions of the family that they wanted to avoid the desecratory manner in which the dead body of Nawab Akbar Bugti was buried hurriedly by the authorities, without his family’s presence. That would of course depend on where the body is and in whose custody. Were there to be a repeat of the manner in which Nawab Bugti was disposed of, the reaction this time round could be even severer. Second, contrary to the possible triumphant mood amongst government circles at having eliminated such a dangerous foe (circles that have maintained a studied silence so far on the reports of Balach’s death, perhaps for fear of further exacerbating the bitter reaction to follow), whose BLA accepts responsibility for most of the armed and sabotage actions being conducted on almost a daily basis in Balochistan, the likely outcome is to further erode and weaken the argument amongst Baloch nationalist groups that there is purchase in engaging within mainstream politics for wresting the long denied rights of the people of Balochistan, thereby strengthening the contrary sentiment that there is nothing to be had by remaining peacefully engaged and the only path is to take up the armed struggle. That could end up opening the doors to increased recruitment for the BLA, spelling more trouble in the insurgency-infested province.The Musharraf government remains wedded to the approach of only stick, no carrot in dealing with Baloch nationalist demands for provincial autonomy and control over their own resources, to be developed for the benefit of the people of Balochistan. Whether this approach will produce the desired results is open to question in the light of the history of conflict in Balochistan since Pakistan’s independence. Without offering Balochistan genuine representation, political, economic and social rights, provincial autonomy and control over its resources, the ideas amongst one section of the nationalists of making a clean break with the country are likely to increasingly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

http://thepost.com.pk/EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=130135&catid=10

Balach Marri’s killing : Balochistan shuts down

QUETTA: More than a hundred protesters were arrested across Balochistan on Thursday as the province observed a complete shutter-down strike against the killing of Nawabzada Balach Marri, a Baloch nationalist leader.

Police rounded up around fifty protesters in Quetta, most of whom had come from Sariab, where Balochis are in a majority. Fifteen protesters were arrested in Gwadar, where the Balochistan National Party, National Party and the Baloch Students Organisation had called for a complete strike. Ten leaders of the National Party were detained in Panjgur district where police used tear gas and baton-charged the protesters. Dozens of protesters were arrested from other provincial districts including Khuzdar, Dalbandin, Turbat, Sibi, Panjgur, Mustung, Noshaki. Life came to a stand still in these districts while protests were largely peaceful.

“A state of red alert has been declared in Quetta with 4,000 police personnel and the Frontier Corps (FC) deployed at different locations. Around 70 mobile teams will continue to patrol Quetta,” the city’s police chief Mohammad Akbar said.

In Quetta, a complete shutter down strike was observed in the Baloch-populated areas where protesters burnt two government vehicles and pelted stones at official buildings. Shops, banks and business centres remained closed. The city government had announced the closure of all educational institutes on Thursday.

However, life continued as usual in the rest of the city. Supporters of Balach Marri also blocked many roads, including the RCD and Mekran Highways for many hours. Meanwhile, three bomb blasts took place in Hub, Balochistan’s industrial town, and Sibi, suspending power supply to many parts of Hub township and damaging the local post office. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default. ... 123story_23-11-2007_pg1_5

BB meets Nawab Marri over Balach’s death

KARACHI: PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto met Khair Bux Marri at his Karachi residence on Thursday to condole the killing of his son Balach Marri.

“Balach Marri’s body has not been laid to rest, so a formal condolence cannot be made according to our traditions,” Bhutto told reporters after she expressed sympathy with the elderly Nawab who resides in Karachi.

Bhutto denounced the step-motherly attitude of the regime towards the Baloch people, saying that thousands of them were missing. “I am with the people of Balochistan. I will not leave them alone,” she vowed, saying that the use of force did not win hearts and minds but lead to hatred. She stressed reconciliation as an option to defuse the crisis in Balochistan. Political dialogue would help solve the problems in Balochistan. She also demanded an end to military action in the province. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default. ... 123story_23-11-2007_pg7_4

Benazir Bhutto condemns Balach Marri’s killing

* Former PM says killing of Baloch leader will further fuel nationalist movement in Balochistan
* Calls for release of all Baloch leaders

ISLAMABAD: Benazir Bhutto, former prime minister and chairwoman of the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) on Thursday condemned the killing of former member Balochistan Assembly Balach Marri.

In a statement issued by her party’s media centre, Benazir termed the killing ‘a bad omen for the integrity of the federation’.

Balach was killed on November 20, reportedly by security forces during a military operation, in Kohlu. His spokesman said that several others were also killed with him.

“The killing and bloodshed in Balochistan must end immediately,” Benazir said.

She warned that Balochistan was in danger of breaking away from the federation unless an urgent political solution was found.

She called for national reconciliation, an end to military operations, general amnesty and compensation for all displaced during the fighting there. Benazir also called for the release of Baloch nationalist leaders including Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Sardar Salal Bugti, Mr Sarki.

‘Killing will fuel nationalist fire’: The former premier cautioned that the killing of Balach Khan Marri would further inflame passions in Balochistan and would only fuel the fire burning there.

She recalled that in August 2006, the security forces killed Balochistan former governor and chief minister Nawab Akbar Bugti, who headed the Bugti tribe. “[Earlier] the killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti had inflamed the passions of the Baloch, particularly the youth,” she said.

In Balochistan, the government is confronting Baloch tribes who have been demanding due share in Baloch resources. “People of Balochistan, like people everywhere, need food, clothing and shelter, and not bullets,” she mainatined.

“Nationalism could not be crushed by force. People could only be won over by acknowledging their rights and respecting them,” Benazir said.

She recalled Dr Shazia Khalid’s rape, allegedly by security personnel in Balochistan, and the disappearances of hundreds of Baloch nationalist supporters.

She said the crisis in Balochistan, like the rest of the country, was political. “We must trust our people, respect and honour them, instead of confronting them.”

She called on the present regime to review its policies in the province and urged intellectuals to write about them. She also condoled with Nawab Khair Bux Marri on behalf of the people of Pakistan and her party. staff report

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default. ... 23story_23-11-2007_pg7_30

Strike observed over Balach’s death

By Saleem Shahid

QUETTA, Nov 22: A strike was observed in the central and southern parts of Balochistan on Thursday while clashes took place in Quetta and some other towns between police and youths protesting against the killing of nationalist leader Mir Balach Khan Marri.

Police arrested at least 85 people in raids in the provincial capital following incidents of firing, hurling of hand-grenades and killing of two policemen and three civilians on Wednesday night.

All schools, colleges and the Balochistan University remained closed. The university has postponed all examinations of MA, MSc, BA and BSc for an indefinite period.

Police constables Sabir and Naiz were injured when they came under fire while patroll-ing in Khatan Nadi area in Khuzdar.

A complete strike was observed in Gwadar, Panjgur, Nushki, Khuzdar, Awaran, Turbat, Kharan, Mastung, Sibi, Pasni, Jewani and Kalat. The business community responded positively to a strike call given by the Balochistan National Party (Mengal).

The party has announced a three-day mourning for Balach Marri.

In Quetta, shops remained closed in Sariab and Brewery Road areas, while business was normal in the main bazaars.

In Sariab area, groups of youths pelted police and vehicles with stones. They burnt tyres on the Sariab and Brewery Roads and disrupted traffic for some time.

A group of protesters attacked the office of the mines and minerals department on Sariab Road, broke its windowpanes and damaged a vehicle.

They also tried to attack the office of the Quetta Development Authority and threw stones at the building.

In Pasni, police used tear gas to disperse a procession of women activists and students.

Students of the Nushki Degree College blocked the Quetta-Taftan highway and pelted vehicles of law-enforcing agencies with stones.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/23/nat3.htm

JSQM sees Balach’s killing as assassination

THATTA, Nov 22: The Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz chairman Bashir Khan Qureshi on Thursday termed the killing of Baloch leader Mir Balach Marri ‘assassination’ and an irreparable loss of the Baloch people.

Talking to journalists at Thatta sessions court where he had come with party leader, Dr Niaz Kalani and 35 other activists, to appear in a sedition case, Mr Qureshi said that the assassination of Balach Marri after the killing of Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti had compelled the nationalists to think about adopting extreme options.

He said the system had strengthened the feudal lords who were looting and plundering the national wealth. The elections would yield no positive results under emergency.

Our Larkana correspondent adds: The Sindh Council of Jhamoori Wattan Party (JWP) on Thursday announced three-day mourning in Sindh for the killing of Mir Balach Marri.

A meeting of the council chaired by Mohammed Hanif demanded that the government should halt the ongoing operation in Balochistan and called for observing a strike on Nov 24 in Larkana.

The meeting appealed to people to take part in the strike to register their protest over the Baloch leader’s murder.

The Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party (coordination committee) also condemned the killing of Mir Balach Marri.

The party’s central coordinator, Gulzar Soomro, blamed the government for the ‘murder’ and termed it part of a conspiracy to crush national movements.

http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/23/nat43.htm

Marri death

Friday, November 23, 2007
The killing, in unknown circumstances, of Balaach Marri, the charismatic leader of the defunct Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), drives a further wedge between the Pakistani establishment and the people of the country's largest province. The wave of violence triggered in Quetta, and it is being reported in other towns, by the news indicates the depth of the feelings that exist. Five people, including two policemen, have been killed in various incidents that followed Mr Marri's reported death. The fact that it is not known how, or where, Balaach Marri died is adding to the anger. Accounts that he was killed somewhere in Afghanistan, or on the Pakistan-Afghan border, are being questioned by Baloch leaders. It is also a fact that official versions of events hold little credibility, most particularly in the troubled province of Balochistan, where anger unleashed by the death in 2006 of Nawab Akbar Bugti, apparently as a result of action by the security apparatus, has still to subside. The death of another Baloch leader, perceived by people as fighting for their rights, will only add to the problems. While the country's leaders have repeatedly stressed the development works taking place in Balochistan whenever there is talk of unrest in the province, the fact is that perceptions and sentiments are sometimes as significant as realities.

Whereas there may be more than a nugget of truth in official assertions that Baloch tribal leaders wield exploitative control over their people, the fact is that many in Balochistan feel that they have, over the decades of Pakistan's existence, faced acute discrimination and neglect from the centre. They also maintain they have not been given a voice in the decision-making regarding the province, have not benefited from its wealth of natural resources and have repeatedly faced state repression. The fact that hundreds, possibly thousands of Baloch remain among the country's 'disappeared' people, while others, such as the young poet Hanif Sharif have suffered acute torture in custody, leaving the talented writer with deep psychological damage, adds weight to their concerns. So does the continued blocking of around a dozen websites, allegedly reflecting Baloch nationalist views.

It is vital to Pakistan, and to its future generations, that the sentiments prevailing in Balochistan are addressed. Whether or not the feelings of injustice are valid, the fact is that they exist and are strongly felt, especially by young people. For the sake of federal integrity, a priority that must lie above all else, these beliefs need to be altered, by giving the people of Balochistan a greater say within their own province and drawing them into the mainstream of national life, step by step, so that a stronger, more united country can be built.

http://thenews.jang.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=82369