Banned Baloch outfits have distributed pamphlets in different areas in Balochistan warning the people against taking part in the upcoming polls. The violators would be responsible for dire consequences; the BBC reported quoting the version written in the pamphlets. The banned outfit Baloch Liberation Front has distributed the pamphlets, however, names of other banned organisations Baloch Liberation Army and Baloch Republican Army are also written on the pamphlets.
Through the pamphlets, people are directed not to take part in election process and to avoid visiting polling stations on February 18. Besides, some other organisations including Baloch Bar Association, Baloch Khawateen Panel, Baloch Students Organisation, and Baloch National Movement have constituted an alliance under the name of Baloch National Front and this Front has also rejected the elections.
The pamphlets have also warned the candidates not to bring the female voters to polling stations, and the violators in this connection would face severe consequences.
The pamphlets also state that polling stations can be targeted by the outfit activists. The pamphlet states that besides, the martyrdom of Nawaz Akbar Bugti, Balach Marri, Khalid Baloch and others, the torture of Baloch people allegedly by the govt agency officials and aggressive incidents against Baloch people including bombardment of crops and killing of cattle can never be forgotten.
Talking to the BBC, Baloch Republican Army spokesman Sarbaz Baloch said that people had been directed not to participate in the polls as it was not offering any solution to their issues. Jamhoori Watan Party leader Sher Muhammad Bugti has said that the security personnel were carrying out drive in Kahan and Dera Bugti areas for the last seven days. The people have been arrested in a large numbers and shifted to security camps in Kohlu, Sibi and Dera Bugti, he added. However, the govt officials have not issued any statement confirming the incident.
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/feb-2008/15/index12.php |
