GILGIT: The people of Gilgit were once again confined to their homes on Thursday when Section 144, which bars the assembly of five or more people in one place, was imposed in the city.
The restriction was put in place following a sectarian clash between two student groups on Wednesday that left two dead and seven others injured. Locals faced a similar, but more severe predicament when a curfew was imposed and cellular services were banned in April this year after sectarian attacks claimed the lives of more than a dozen people.“This is meant to ward off chances of violence in the city,” said a district administration official, Shahid Ali, about the latest restriction. In addition, motorcycles were also banned in the city.
Karakoram International University (KIU) announced its closure for two days. “The decision has been taken in the wake of violence in the city a day earlier,” said a statement issued from the university.
The statement also stated the names of students against whom the university has taken action. “Saqlain Raza has been expelled from the university with intimation sent to the higher education commission and all other universities in the country,” read the handout.
Meanwhile, all roads and markets in the city remained deserted on Thursday as people stayed indoors fearing further clashes. Fortunately, no untoward incidents were reported from any part of the region till the filing of this report.
Officials at the chief minister secretariat said all those who delivered provocative speeches on Wednesday and took the law in their own hands would be taken to task.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 14th, 2012.
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GB was used to be a very peaceful area before the attack of militants belonging to Chilas and Kohistan area in the year 1988. Media should avoid giving perception of any sectarian conflict in Gilgit. Reality is different, some Taliban associated militants are destroying the peace of Gilgit to harm Pak China relations. Government should take solid action against the terrorists and it should establish writ of state in GB including Diamer and Kohistan.
When PPP government came into power in GB, a group of people were saying " now the government is in hands of peaceful people" and GB faced its worst period in history
Despite the imposition of Section 144, the activitists of banned SSP hold protest rallies and chanted controversial slogans on Thursday. Police and other law enforcement authorities did nothing to control the situation