The central spokesperson of the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) has said in a statement that the peaceful sit-in protest led by Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, head of the Balochistan National Party (BNP), has been ongoing at Lakpass for the past three weeks. Under Sardar Akhtar Mengal’s leadership, the BNP is demanding the release of Baloch political activists.
Instead of engaging in dialogue with the peaceful protesters, the government has displayed a brutal and authoritarian attitude from day one. The long march was stopped from reaching its destination. Political workers who came out to receive the long march were fired upon and arrested, dispersing them by force.
He added that during the second attempt of the long march to move towards Quetta (Shal), the government deployed thousands of security personnel to surround the march. Later, live bullets were fired at protesters across Balochistan, resulting in deaths and injuries among civilians.
The spokesperson further said that instead of negotiating, the war profiteering government parties backed by the state continue to hold scripted press conferences against Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal, making a mockery of themselves.
He reaffirmed that the Baloch Students Organization (BSO) stands firmly with Sardar Akhtar Jan Mengal and is fully committed to participating in the protest movement. He also strongly instructed BSO members to ensure their participation in the ongoing sit-in.
