Monday, August 29, 2011

The former princely ruler of Hunza, Mir Ghazanfar Ali, has expressed regret over state-led terrorism and injustices in Pakistan controlled Hunza and announced a long march towards Gilgit city if the four dozen or so arrested IDPs were not immediately released. He said, ""We oppose the decision to establish seven security check posts between Karimabad and Aliabad. Hunza is the most peaceful area of Pakistan and these check posts are going to make it look like a war-zone".

On August 29, 2011 security forces arrested four more innocent residents from Hunza in connection with IDP protests. Sad enough that the security personnel, who are responsible for the extra judicial deaths of two innocent IDPs, still remain at large and enjoy freedom under government protection. Among the arrested is a 17 year old orphaned minor from Gulmit who was later released when his older brother presented himself to the police as his replacement.

Meanwhile, the president of the Hunza chapter of Pakistan Peoples' Party (the ruling party in Gilgit-Baltistan) has resigned protesting unwarranted detentions. He has accused the security personnel of barging into the houses in the Holy month of Ramadhan and violating religious sanctity as women have been harassed and manhandled.

The arrests of innocent IDPs are being made under sedition and anti-terror acts. The IDPs continue to agitate for immediate relief and rehabilitation. Majority of them became homeless after a massive landslide displaced thousands of residents of Hunza in January of 2009.