Day two: Mobile phone services remain suspended in Gilgit-Baltistan
Restriction imposed after four people injured in clash with police.
Restriction imposed after four people injured in clash with police. PHOTO: FILE
GILGIT:
Mobile phone services remained suspended on the second consecutive day in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Thursday. Services were suspended early Wednesday after four people, including two university students, were injured during a clash with the police.
The incident occurred when students of Karakoram International University (KIU) refused to comply with police orders to clear a major road in Konodas area. The students were demonstrating against the university administration for restoring expelled students on court orders.
Earlier in a separate incident, three people were gunned down by unidentified assailants in the town, creating fear in many parts of G-B.
As part of the security plan, the government on Thursday cancelled all arms permits issued previously, and also placed a ban on pillion riding. By afternoon, more than a dozen people were booked for violations. “Since Section 144 has been imposed recently in the town, pillion riding is banned under the law,” said a police official in Gilgit.
“Mobile services will be restored soon,” said Deputy Commissioner Shahbaz Tahir, without specifying a definitive timeframe.
KIU has also announced an early recess nearly 10 days ahead of the official winter holidays to “assist in managing the law and order situation.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.
Mobile phone services remained suspended on the second consecutive day in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Thursday. Services were suspended early Wednesday after four people, including two university students, were injured during a clash with the police.
The incident occurred when students of Karakoram International University (KIU) refused to comply with police orders to clear a major road in Konodas area. The students were demonstrating against the university administration for restoring expelled students on court orders.
Earlier in a separate incident, three people were gunned down by unidentified assailants in the town, creating fear in many parts of G-B.
As part of the security plan, the government on Thursday cancelled all arms permits issued previously, and also placed a ban on pillion riding. By afternoon, more than a dozen people were booked for violations. “Since Section 144 has been imposed recently in the town, pillion riding is banned under the law,” said a police official in Gilgit.
“Mobile services will be restored soon,” said Deputy Commissioner Shahbaz Tahir, without specifying a definitive timeframe.
KIU has also announced an early recess nearly 10 days ahead of the official winter holidays to “assist in managing the law and order situation.”
G-B Chief Minister claimed the unrest at KIU was “planned by certain elements to achieve specific goals.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 20th, 2013.