Hazara community protests against killing of 11 coal miners
Staff Reporter :
QUETTA: Members of the Hazara community have blocked the Western Bypass area of Quetta to mourn the killing of miners. In chilly weather, women and children are also among the protesters. “We demand the arrest of culprits behind cold-blooded murder of 11 coal miners”, Fatima Yousafi, one of the women protesters said. What will happen, if Prime Minister Imran Khan and chief minister Jam Kamal come here, she said. “I hugged my son on Friday”, an aged woman sitting along with other women cried. She lamented, “yesterday, they brought his dead body”.
Armed accused had brutally murdered 11 ethnic Hazara Shia coal miners in Balochistan’s Mach area in the wee hours of Sunday. The incident caused countrywide outrage with people demanding of the government to take stern action against the killers. Former Balochistan, Syed Raza Agha, president Balochistan Shia Conference, Syed Dawood Agha are also among the protesters.
The protesters have also brought the dead bodies to the sit-in and demanding that the rulers should come and assure the arrest of the killers. “Prime Minister must come and assure us the arrest of killers”, Bostan Ali, another young protester said.
Protesters chanting slogans against the government
The protesters are chanting full-throated slogans against the police and other law enforcement agencies for their failure to provide protection to them. Hazara community of Quetta has suffered the worst terror attacks in the past.
Chief Minister Balochistan, Jam Kamal Khan has strongly condemned the incident and vowed the killers would be brought to justice. “This is an inhumane and cowardly act”, Mr. Kamal said in a statement. Political parties have also strongly condemned the brutal killings of 11 coal miners in Balochistan’s Mach area.
“Since yesterday we are protesting but none from the government has come”, Muhammad Hussain, another protester lamented. He said the protest would continue until the rulers arrive and assure the arrest of the culprits.
Security tightened in Quetta
Security has been tightened in Quetta and Mach in the aftermath of the killing of 11 coal miners. Apart from the police, the Frontier Corps (FC) personnel have also been deployed in all sensitive parts of the city to maintain order. Checking tightened at all exit and entry points of the provincial capital. The defunct Islamic State (IS) had claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaq news agency.
Case Registered
The Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) registered a case against unknown terrorists in connection with the murder of 11 coal miners at Naseerabad. The case registered on the part of the Station House Officer (SHO) CTD Naseerabad. Terrorism, murder, an attempt of murder, etc included in the case.
Hazara community protests against killing of 11 coal miners
