Protest in Kohlu as death toll rises to 14 in gas cylinder blast
Yousaf Marri :
Political parties have staged a protest demonstration against the Balochistan government for what they claim its (Govt) failure to provide timely medical treatment to injured children of gas cylinder blast in Kohlu. As political parties marched in Kohlu, another child succumbed to burn injuries. The death toll in the deadly blast reached 14 in Kohlu.
Haq Nawaz Muhammad Hassani, a police officer said the death toll in a gas cylinder blast reached 14. “All seriously injured children succumbed to injuries in Multan”, he informed.
Political leaders including Mehrab Baloch, a central leader of the National Party (NP), Mir Qayoum Marri of Jamiat ul Ulema e Islam (JUI), Juma Khan Zarkoon of Pashtoonkhwa Milli Awami Party (PKMAP), Farooq Marri of Balochistan National Party (Mengal) addressed the protesters.
The political leaders stated that the provincial government failed to support the injured of the gas cylinder blast. “Compensation amount announced by the government is a mere joke”, Mehrab Baloch said.
Rs. 2 m compensation demanded for broken family members
The political parties demanded of the government to announce a Rs. 2 m compensation amount for the broken families of the children who died in the deadly blast. The Balochistan government had announced Rs. 4 lakh for the families.
A gas cylinder blast injured 33 people including 31 children on November 8, 2020, in the Bohri area of Kohlu. 13 children died of burn wounds in Multan hospital. The gas cylinder exploded when children had surrounded a potato chips seller during a wedding party. Unsafe gas cylinders have claimed scores of precious human lives in Balochistan.
No basic facilities at Kohlu hospital
Qayyum Marri of JUI lamented that there were no basic facilities and doctors at the district headquarters hospital in Kohlu. “Negligence of rulers caused deaths of children”, Mr. Marri claimed.
The protesters marched through different roads and streets of Kohlu bazar and later the rally turned into a protest meeting. The protesters had carried placards and flags of political parties. The banners were inscribed with slogans criticizing the Balochistan government.
Protest in Kohlu as death toll rises to 14 in gas cylinder blast
