A strike was observed in Gwadar and other coastal cities of the province on Tuesday in response to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s call to support the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC)’s recent protests against a police crackdown and arrests of its leaders.
All businesses, banks, shops and petrol pumps in the city were closed to protest against the arrests and cases registered against all BYC women leaders, including Dr Mahrang Baloch, Bebo Baloch and Sammi Deen Baloch.
A similar situation was witnessed in Ormara, a city 270 kilometres away from Gwadar, where a complete shutter-down strike by the traders’ association was under way. Shops were also closed in Pasni, another coastal town 142km from Gwadar.
A strike observed in Pasni on Tuesday in response to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s call — Photo by Sajid Noor
This comes a day after the Karachi police detained BYC leader Sammi Deen Baloch and several others during a protest against the recent arrests of BYC leadership and a crackdown on its Quetta sit-in.
On Friday evening, the police used tear gas and water cannons, and fired blank shots to disperse BYC protesters, who had staged a sit-in on the Sariab Road near the University of Balochistan, against alleged enforced disappearances, including its leader Bebarg Baloch.
A strike observed in Pasni on Tuesday in response to the Balochistan National Party-Mengal’s call — Photo by Sajid Noor
The Balochistan government and the BYC had reported casualties on their sides as a result of each other’s actions — with the activist group claiming three dead and 13 others suffering injuries and the police saying around 10 of their personnel were hurt.
The situation further escalated when BYC chief organiser Mahrang Baloch was arrested in the early hours of Saturday and was booked under terror charges along with 150 others.
Responding to BYC’s call, shutter-down strikes had been staged over the weekend in various cities of Balochistan — including Quetta, Panjgur, Kalat, Turbat, Mastung, Kharan, Chaghi, Dalbandin and Dhadar.
Separately, BNP-M president Sardar Akhtar Mengal announced a long march on March 28 against the arrest of BYC leaders.
In a post on X, Mengal said, “I announce a long march from Wadh to Quetta, against the arrest of our daughters and the desecration of our mothers and sisters.”
“I will lead this march myself, and invite all Baloch brothers and sisters, young and old, to join us in this march,” he added.
He also wrote: “This is not just a matter of the arrest of our daughters, it is a question of our national dignity, our honour, and our very existence. We will not remain silent until our mothers, sisters, and daughters are safe.”
The BYC welcomed Mengal’s call stating, “The Balochistan National Party’s announcement of a long march is a commendable step, and we respect this decision.”
