Census staff in Balochistan fear for security

Two areas in Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts declared sensitive .

QUETTA:

Balochistan government has declared two localities in Dera Bugti and Kohlu districts ‘sensitive’ after census survey got under way in the province, officials said on Wednesday.

“Contingents of Frontier Corps personnel have been deployed in the Pelaogh area in Dera Bugti and the Kahan area in Kohlu district to provide security to staff on census duty,” Home Secretary Akbar Hussain said.

He said that deputy commissioners of all districts were told to contact the home department if they needed more security personnel. “Only two areas have so far been declared sensitive while the law and order situation in other districts is stable.”

He said that personnel of Balochistan Levies Force and Balochistan Constabulary will also be deputed where needed.

According to the Population Census Department, there are 9,183 blocks across Balochistan and each block has 275 to 200 housing units. There are 30 districts in the province and deputy commissioners of each district will be monitoring the census process.

Baloch insurgent groups have opposed the census and urged the people not to participate in the exercise.

According to the local press, the spokesperson of banned Baloch Liberation Front warned that his organisation would carry out attacks on staff on census duty.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 7^th,  2011.