* Organisation spokesman says Baloch students being discriminated against in BUITMS, demands merit-based quota system
QUETTA: The Baloch Warna (youth) Organisation on Monday claimed responsibility for burning two buses of the Balochistan University of Information Technology and Management Sciences (BUITMS). According to police officials, unidentified men intercepted the BUITMS buses in two separate incidents, asked the drivers to get off and burnt the buses. A third BUITMS bus was damaged when the attackers pelted it with stones, injuring one person. The university buses were burnt in Shalkot and Burma hotel areas on Sariab Road while the third bus was attacked on Brewery Road. The drivers and students were asked to get off before the buses were attacked. While accepting responsibility, the previously unheard of organisation warned of more attacks in the future.
Demand: Mir Sheragam Baloch, who identified himself as the organisation’s spokesman, called the Quetta Press Club and claimed responsibility for torching the buses. He said his organisation demanded a merit-based quota system for each district at the BUITMS where, he claimed, Baloch students were being discriminated against. “If the admission policy is not revised and admissions are not given on the basis of a district-based quota system rather than country-wide open merit, more attacks would be carried out in the future. Students coming from outside Balochistan will also be attacked,” warned the spokesman. Baloch students at the BUITMS have been protesting since last year against the university’s current admission policy. Last year, three Baloch students went on a hunger strike and were supported by hundreds of Baloch students. They only called off the strike when the Balochistan government assured them that the admission policy would be revised. While Baloch students demand district-based quota system, the Pashtun, Punjabi and Hazara students support the current open-merit system for admissions to the university. malik siraj akbar
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2009 210story_10-2-2009_pg7_18 |
