By Staff Reporter
QUETTA: At least 14 people were injured on Saturday when supporters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) clashed with security forces in Mastung, as they were en route to attend a rally in Gwadar.
The BYC accused security forces of opening fire on their convoy, while the deputy commissioner of Kalat stated that participants of the BYC march had attacked a Levies checkpoint near Mastung, resulting in injuries to two Frontier Corps personnel and four civilians.
BYC leader Bebarg Baloch alleged that personnel of a law enforcement agency opened fire on their supporters in Mastung, injuring 14 people, five of whom are in critical condition.
Baloch said he was part of the convoy when it was stopped at the Thana Sona Khan area and not allowed to travel to Mastung.
He accused security agencies of using baton-charge and teargas shelling. “But even then the convoy managed to reach the Quetta-Karachi highway. Here the forces opened fire at the crowd,” the BYC leader said.
Another BYC leader claimed over 200 people were arrested by security personnel.
However, Shahid Rind, spokesman for the Balochistan government, denied that security forces had opened fire, calling reports of firing “unconfirmed” and stating that “some elements are trying to create a law-and-order situation”.
“There are rumors related to firing in Mustang. Reports of firing by security forces are unconfirmed,” Rind said in a statement issued late on Saturday. “Some elements are trying to create a law-and-order situation, but nobody is above the law and action will be taken against those who are out to sow strife.”
“Peaceful protest is everyone’s right, however, law cannot be allowed to be taken into one’s hands. The BYC has been invited to resolve the issues through dialogue.”
A statement issued by the deputy commissioner of Kalat said that participants of the BYC march had attacked a Levies checkpoint near Mastung and resorted to “extreme violence”.
“The security forces stopped the rally three kilometers outside Mastung for negotiations. However, an armed mob that was waiting for the marchers in Mastung City opened fired on personnel of the Frontier Corps (FC). Two FC personnel and four civilians were injured,” the note said. “The injured were shifted to Trauma Centre, Quetta, after medical aid in Mastung.”
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