August 31, 2007	Friday	Sha’aban 17, 1428

QUETTA, Aug 30: Activists of the Baloch Women Panel and the PPP Parliamentarians staged separate demonstrations against ‘forced disappearances’ and the setting up of pickets by law-enforcement agencies in the provincial capital.

The protests were organised outside the press club here on Thursday.

The BWP activists raised slogans, denouncing the arrest of Baloch political workers and security agencies’ raids on houses of common people.

BWP’s spokesperson Shakar Bibi said that dozens of youths had been arrested on Aug 26, the first death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti, adding that relentless protests would continue against oppressive tactics and injustices.

She said the Baloch people had been enduring military operations for the past six decades, adding that hundreds of Baloch people had been killed in the army operation that had been unleashed by the present government.

Shakar Bibi said that hundreds of youths were being secretly tortured and they were not permitted any kind of communication with their families.

Criticising the government, PPP workers warned against the setting up of pickets by security forces in different city areas, saying respectable people were being insulted by security personnel.

Syed Sadaullah Shah, party’s provincial deputy secretary-general, and district president Ali Madad Jatak addressed the protesters and urged the authorities to immediately remove the pickets.

Asserting that despite the pickets, the law and order situation in the city was deteriorating, they said the government should take appropriate steps to protect people’s life and property in the province.