QUETTA: Police used tear gas, water cannons, and fired blank shots on Friday to disperse Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) protesters staging a sit-in on Sariab Road near the University of Balochistan. The demonstration was held against the recent arrests of several individuals, including BYC leaders.
Conflicting reports emerged regarding casualties. Sources at Bolan Medical College Hospital stated that two bodies were brought in, while Civil Hospital received one body and nine injured individuals, including a female police officer.
BYC chief organizer Dr. Mahrang Baloch claimed that three people were killed and 13 others injured during the crackdown. The protest was sparked by the arrest of BYC leader Bebarg Baloch, his brother, a senior doctor from Bolan Medical College, and two of his relatives a few days prior.
A spokesperson for the Balochistan government defended the police action, stating that it was necessary to clear the road. He alleged that protesters attacked the police with stones, injuring 10 officers, including a policewoman.
The protest began with a rally on Sariab Road, where demonstrators held banners and chanted slogans against the arrests. They later moved to Munir Mengal Road and set up a sit-in camp. Police responded with baton charges, water cannons, and blank gunfire to break up the gathering.
Medical officials at Bolan Medical College Hospital confirmed that two bodies were taken from the protest site. Meanwhile, Provincial Civil Hospital reported receiving one body and nine injured police personnel. Other sources suggested that BYC members took three bodies with them and continued their protest at Munir Mengal Road, where leaders, including Dr. Mahrang Baloch, addressed the crowd. The demonstration caused traffic disruption on Sariab Road.
The BYC accused the police of opening fire, killing three people and injuring several others. In response, they announced a province-wide shutter-down and wheel-jam strike for Saturday.
Balochistan government spokesperson Shahid Rind acknowledged that nine police personnel were injured by stone-pelting protesters. He stated that the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths would only be confirmed after medico-legal procedures were completed.
“No one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” Rind said, adding that the government would act to maintain law and order and ensure the safety of citizens.
