Balochistan: Student’s extrajudicial murder sparks protests

QUETTA: Baloch, living across the country, are protesting against the extra-judicial killing of a final year student of the Physiology Department at the University of Karachi.

Hayat Baloch was killed by Frontier Corps (FC) Balochistan in Absor area of Turbat in district Kech Balochistan after FC’s vehicles were targeted by Baloch militants in an IED attack 13th August 2020.

 After some causalities, FC personnel started offensive search operations in surrounding areas. They also raided a palm orchard and arrested a young student, named Mohammad Hayat Baloch.

According to eye-witnesses report, they tortured him on spot, tied his hands and feet and dragged him outside of the farm to a road.  Then they open fire on him while his hands and feet were still tied and burst nine bullets to his upper torso in front of his father who begged that his son was innocent.

The Pakistani forces didn’t listen to his father and killed his beloved son right before his eyes.

After the inhuman act of FC, the tragedy and pictures of Hayat Baloch went viral on Social media. The social media activists started criticizing the Pakistan Army because of its inhuman acts not in Balochistan but the entire country. They soon introduced a hashtag demanding #JusticeForHayatBaloch.  

Dramatically, an FC official named Shahid Ullah was arrested by Turbat police and had been remanded into police custody for seven days.

On the other hand, residents of Balochistan are showing their reservations that the culprit will not be punished and victims will not get justice, because previously, Sameer Sabzal, the main accused of the murder of Malik Naz Baloch and injuring her little daughter Bramsh Baloch was also dramatically arrested after huge public protests and pressure.

However, he has not been punished.

It is very common in Balochistan that culprits involved in serious crimes are backed by Pakistan Army. They operate with full impunity and they are above the law. The police, Levis, media and Judiciary forcibly silenced if they raise voice against army-backed criminals or army and FC’s crimes in Balochistan.

The killing of the Baloch student has caused the eruption of demonstrations not only in Balochistan but in Karachi and other cities as well.

Baloch Education Educational Organization (BEEO) held a protest in front of Karachi Press Club on 15th August, where a huge crowd gathered to seek Justice for Hayat Baloch and demanded the arrest and severely punished of those involved in his extrajudicial brutal murder.  

Similarly, students gathered in Panjgur and held a candlelight vigil to show solidarity with Hayat Baloch’s family. The students in Panjgur demanded that the criminals involved in this tragedy must be punished and Hayat Baloch must get Justice.

On Sunday (today) the Bramsh Baloch Solidarity Committee Shaal (Quetta) held a protest in front of Quetta Press Club and the Baloch Yakjehti Committee Karachi held a protest outside Karachi Press Club to show their support and solidarity with the family of Hayat Baloch.

 Addressing the protesters, the speakers strongly condemned the brutal murder of innocent youth Hayat Baloch at the hands of FC personnel.

The speakers said that parents raise their children with great pride and hope that they will be their support but the so-called guardians who are devoid of humanity kill them in broad daylight in front of innocent parents.

“Being a Baloch has become a crime and if ‘unfortunately’ a Baloch is educated, the chances of his survival become less likely,” the speakers said.

The speakers said that the occupying state is afraid of our educated youth because they know that consciousness and knowledge clarify the line and the difference between the occupier and the occupied, and this explanation is unbearable for an occupier.

In this consciousness, the occupier sees his hidden death and he is frightened and starts thinking of ways to eliminate the consciousness.

The speakers further said that the state has created an atmosphere of fear in Balochistan and Baloch society and it wants to expand its illegal and immoral occupation by suppressing Baloch national politics in the shadow of guns and fear.

Protesters held banners and placards with various slogans calling on international organizations to play a role.

 Baloch Yakjehti Committee KECH will hold a rally protest in Turbat on 17th August 2020. The rally will start from the Public Library at 9 AM.

Baloch Yakjehti Committee Kech requested the people from all walks of life to be part of the demonstrations and show solidarity with Baloch nations and raise their voice against such barbaric activities of Pakistan Army in Balochistan.