Several people were injured in clashes between supporters of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee and police during a rally in Quetta

Several police vehicles were damaged as police fired tear gas and lathicharged BYC supporters. Firing was also reported during the clashes. Clashes broke out when police attempted to disperse BYC supporters from the red zone area where protesters wanted to stage a sit-in, Dawn reported.

BYC supporters have been staging a sit-in in Sariab area for over a week against the disappearance of Zahir Baloch and other missing Baloch persons. However, the protesters marched on several streets of Quetta and attempted to enter the red zone to stage their sit-in, leading to clashes between the police and BYC supporters.

In a video posted on X, BYC central organiser Mehrang Baloch said that Zaheer Baloch's family had been staging a sit-in protest on Sariab Road for several days. However, the government did not respond despite the family's protests. Following this, Zaheer Baloch's family decided to head towards the red zone on Thursday.

Mehrang Baloch said, “The rally participants were attacked, lathi-charged and fired upon, resulting in serious injuries to the protesters. Two of the injured are in a critical condition and have been admitted to the trauma centre of the civil hospital.”

He further said that six women protesters were arrested and taken to the Civil Lines Police Station. According to a report in Dawn, he said that after the arrest, the six women protesters were taken to an unknown location from there.

Sharing the video on Twitter, Mehrang Baloch wrote, “We give half an hour to the Balochistan state and government, if Baloch women and youth are not released within half an hour then we will march from Saryab to Quetta Red Zone and hold an indefinite sit-in in front of the Red Zone.”

She said, “We also want to make it clear that we will not be afraid of violence and arrests, rather our struggle will intensify in response to them. I appeal to the people of Quetta to reach Sarayab sit-in as soon as possible.”

Announcement

We give half an hour to the Balochistan state and government, if the Baloch women and youth are not released within half an hour, we will march from Saryab to Quetta Red Zone and hold an indefinite sit-in in front of the Red Zone.

However, we also want to make it clear that we do not tolerate violence… pic.twitter.com/VIiDMlWqlm

— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) July 11, 2024

Zahir Baloch is one of many victims of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, Pakistan. On July 4, BYC said he had been abducted in late June without any charges being filed.

In a post on X, BYC said, “Zaheer Baloch, who was kidnapped on June 27, is one of the latest victims. In response, his family staged a sit-in on Sariab Road in Quetta and blocked the road. They are demanding his safe recovery and an FIR against the CTD, the latest perpetrators of the Baloch genocide, who abducted Zaheer without any charges. Today, the family staged a protest rally from the sit-in camp to further highlight their plight.”

Enforced disappearances have become a tragic phenomenon in Balochistan, where the Baloch people face such brutal practices on a daily basis. Despite the condemnation of prestigious international organizations and the determined resistance of the Baloch people, the state continues to do so… pic.twitter.com/HXSBaOa3fB

— Baloch Yakjehti Committee (@BalochYakjehtiC) July 3, 2024

In the same statement, the BYC said, “Enforced disappearances have sadly become the norm in Balochistan, with the Baloch people facing such brutal practices on a daily basis. Despite the condemnation of reputable international organisations and the determined resistance of the Baloch people, the state continues these disappearances.”