New Delhi (NVI): Clashes erupted between Pakistani forces and civilians after the former tried to arrest a Baloch activist who was among the people who had gathered in Turbat town in Balochistan today to pay homage to human rights activist Karima Baloch, who was laid to rest yesterday in her native Tump village amid heavy security and restrictions.
According to The Balochistan Post, the local police tried to forcibly arrest activist Gulzar Dost. A large number of people had gathered in Model School Ground in Turbat to pay homage to Karima Baloch today.
In a video, the Baloch people were seen raising slogans and protesting against the brazen attempts by Pakistani police to arrest Gulzar Dost Baloch who is chairman of Balochistan civil society and a human rights activist.
Balochistan: Clashes erupted between the Police and members of public after Police tried to arrest activist Gulzar Dost.
A large number of people had gathered in Model School Ground in Turbat city to pay homage to Karima Baloch.#KarimaBalochShaheed#JusticeForKarimaBaloch pic.twitter.com/niXQvfe1II
— Fazila Baloch?☀️ (@IFazilaBaloch) January 26, 2021
Several Baloch and human rights activists are arriving in Turbat to pay tributes to Karima Baloch as her last rites were held in Tump village that falls in Kech district of Balochistan yesterday amid tight security and restrictions by Pakistani authorities.
The public was not allowed to attend her last rites or pay tributes and only close relatives were allowed to attend her burial as the whole Tump town was put under curfew by Pakistani forces, The Balochistan Post reported.
According to Human rights and Baloch activists, Pakistani troops sealed off her village in Tump and prevented her supporters from attending the burial.
The 37-year-old’s body was flown to Karachi from Canada on Sunday and was illegally and forcefully escorted in Pakistan without the consent of her family members, her brother Sameer Mehrab said in a series of tweets.
As soon as Karima’s body arrived at Karachi airport Sunday, it was “hijacked” by Pakistani authorities even as the family members protested that her body should be handed over to them and that they don’t need any assistance and have arranged for transportation.
Protests were also held in Balochistan against Pakistani action of forcibly escorting Karima Baloch’s body and detaining her family members from Karachi airport.
A vocal critic of the Pakistan government, Karima Baloch had actively worked to highlight human rights violations perpetrated upon people in Balochistan. Her death was condemned by human rights groups and world leaders while protests over her assassination still continue.
The prominent Baloch rights activist was last seen on December 20 in the Bay Street and Queens Quay West area in Toronto, at approximately 3 pm, according to The Balochistan Post. Hours later, she was found dead in mysterious circumstances.
-ARK
