Baloch Yakjehti Committee Honors Protestors at Baloch National Gathering
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) council members gathered to pay tribute to the protestors who lost their lives at the Baloch National Gathering, also known as Baloch Raji Machi. The BYC shared photos and videos of the event on social media, stating, “Diwan started in memory of the martyrs of Baloch Raji Machi, in which homage will be paid to the martyrs of Baloch Raji Machi.”
Recently, the BYC called off its sit-in in Gwadar and other parts of Balochistan after successful negotiations with government representatives. The talks concluded late on Thursday night in Gwadar. On August 9, Baloch caravans left for Turbat from Gwadar, where a special assembly was held in the evening.
Lead activist Mahrang Baloch announced, “It should be noted that today the government delegation has accepted the demands of the sit-in. The Baloch Solidarity Committee will end its sit-in after the demands are implemented. After the dharna ends, the caravan will march towards Turbat. This caravan will announce its plan by holding a gathering in Turbat.”
The BYC had demanded that the Pakistani government ensure no participant or helper of the Baloch National Gathering would be harassed, no further FIRs would be filed, and no unnecessary force would be used in future peaceful programs. They also demanded compensation for the financial damages caused by state military and intelligence agencies during the gathering, including breaking into homes, burning vehicles, and confiscating personal belongings.
The situation in Balochistan has been marked by ongoing tensions and conflicts between Baloch activists and Pakistani security forces, with numerous human rights abuses reported, including extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, and torture.
Doubts Revealed
Baloch Yakjehti Committee -: The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) is a group that works to support and unite the Baloch people, who live in a region called Balochistan, which is in Pakistan.
Protestors -: Protestors are people who gather to show that they are unhappy about something and want change. In this case, they were unhappy with the government and wanted their demands to be met.
Baloch National Gathering -: The Baloch National Gathering is a big meeting where Baloch people come together to discuss important issues and make their voices heard.
Sit-in -: A sit-in is a form of protest where people sit down in a place and refuse to leave until their demands are met. The BYC members did this in Gwadar.
Gwadar -: Gwadar is a port city in Balochistan, Pakistan. It is important because it is a major trade hub.
Negotiations -: Negotiations are discussions between two or more groups to reach an agreement. The BYC talked with the government to get their demands accepted.
Mahrang Baloch -: Mahrang Baloch is a lead activist, which means she is a person who works hard to bring about social or political change. She announced that the government accepted their demands.
Caravan -: A caravan is a group of people traveling together. In this case, it means the protestors will move together to another city called Turbat.
Turbat -: Turbat is another city in Balochistan, Pakistan. The protestors plan to go there next.
FIRs -: FIR stands for First Information Report. It is a document prepared by the police when they receive information about a crime. The BYC did not want any more FIRs against the protestors.
Compensation -: Compensation means giving something, usually money, to make up for a loss or damage. The BYC wanted the government to pay for the damages caused during the gathering.