Justice for Bramsh Baloch: Protests against state-backed death squads continue

QUETTA: The Dannuk incident has sparked a mass movement across Balochistan, with young people along with members of civil society from every area protesting and demonstrating in the name of ‘Bramsh Solidarity Committee’ to condemn the killing of Malik Naz Baloch and injuring of her daughter Bramsh Baloch on 26 May 2020 in Turbat Balochistan.

After almost a decade of silence, people of Balochistan have once again taken to streets to demand an end to ‘military-backed death squads’ in Balochistan.

Yesterday (06/06/2020), protests were held in Balochistan industrial town of Hub, Barkhan, Naseerabad, Mand, Mashkail and several other towns and cities across Balochistan.

In Dalbandin the Pakistani forces have not allowed the Baloch youth organise a protest against the Turbat incident.

A large number of people mostly youth, women and children have been a source of inspiration for these demonstrations which has now turned into a nationwide movement for justice and an end to death squads.  

The deaths squads are petty criminal gangs that operate under the patronage of Pakistan army, ISI and intelligence agencies to spy against Baloch freedom struggle.

In reward, they have full impunity and special permission to carried robberies, theft, drug dealing and kidnappings for ransom.  

On Friday, Bramsh Baloch solidarity protests were held in Karachi, Awaran, Ormara, Surbandar and Rakhni Balochistan.

The Karachi massive protest was attended by lawyers, civil society and Baloch population of Karachi who gathered in masses outside the Karachi Press Club and demanded justice for the family.

The protesters demanded from the military to stop supporting the deaths squads and an end to all such groups operating in Balochistan.

Student leader Mahrang Baloch told media outlets, “Bramsh and Malik Naaz have become symbols against the tyranny and the terrorism that has infected Baluchistan since ages.”

She also maintained that the Government will not be allowed to bury this matter as they did with the Baluchistan University scandal, and the Tootak incident.

More protests are planned today (07/06/2019) and incoming days in Khuzdar, Besima, Noshki, Mastung, Taunsa Sharif and Kohlu Balochistan.

The Balochistan provincial government, on the other hand, claimed to have arrested the three robbers and their gang leader Sameer Sabzal but the gang leader has reportedly not charged with the murder of Malik Naz Baloch. He has been charged with robbery.

Many independent analysts are optimistic that justice will not be served in the case of Bramsh and her mother. Dine the criminals have military’s support; they are most likely to walk free and resume their criminal activities.

It is yet to be seen whether the military will continue to support and arm such criminals or they will succumb to the pressure of ongoing protests and quit facilitating the Al-Badar and Al-Shams type terror networks.