Gwadar shut amid continued clashes

QUETTA:

Gwadar continued to remain tense for the third straight day on Wednesday as the port city witnessed shutter-down strike and clashes following protests by the Gwadar Rights Movement (GRM) over non-acceptance of their demands, including an end to “illegal fishing” in the region.

Police arrested eight people following clashes with the protesters. Those taken into custody belong to the GRM.

According to reports, Gwadar is witnessing a complete shutter down. Cellular networks and internet services remained suspended for the third day in Gwadar, Pasni and Ormara.

The protesters staged a sit-in in front of Pasni Press Club and blocked the main highway for traffic.

A heavy contingent of police was deployed till Zero Point – 6km from Ormara city.On Tuesday, a policeman was shot dead allegedly by the GRM protesters in Gwadar. There was no immediate response from the Movement in this regard.

The protestors have been demanding a reduction in the number of checkpoints, easier border trade, and a total end to deep-sea fish trawling in the sea next to Gwadar.

Meanwhile, a young man, believed to be a supporter of the GRM, died as a result of clashes between the police and protesters in Ormara.

However, there was no official confirmation about the death.

A statement issued by the GRM said that the provincial government was responsible for the “worst state atrocities” in Gwadar.

“So far, hundreds of activists and leaders of GRM have been arrested while several children, women, and the elderly people have been injured [in clashes],” a GRM activist told the media.

“Internet and electricity have been shut down for three days in the port city to suppress the poor people,” he lamented.

Another protester said, “brutality of forces on democratic, political and peaceful people is a clear violation of human rights”.

Balochistan government spokesperson Farah Azeem Shah said the law and order situation in Gwadar was under control as effective measures had been put in place to maintain peace in the city.

"The establishment of peace in Gwadar and the protection of lives and property of the people are among the top priorities of the provincial government," she said in a statement.