No headway: Goods’ transporters stranded as IDPs protest enters fifth day

Balochistan govt fears their return may lead to clashes among different sections of tribe.

SUKKUR: Goods’ transporters have been stranded for the fifth consecutive day because of a sit-in protest by the Bugti tribesmen at Dera Morr near Kashmore, who have been refused access to Balochistan.

A large number of trucks and passenger coaches have been stuck in different parts of Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan in the extreme cold. Last Saturday, thousands of Bugti tribesmen, including women and children, led by Jamhoori Watan Party (JWP) president Shahzain Bugti tried to cross into Balochistan to return to their homes in Dera Bugti. The internally displaced persons (IDPs) had fled the area in 2005 after tensions among different sections of the Bugti tribe spiralled out of control.



The security forces are, however, not letting them enter the province due to which thousands of the Bugti clansmen have staged a sit-in at Dera Morr — the tri-border connecting three provinces — Sindh, Punjab and Balochistan, bringing the traffic to a halt.

According to the sources in Kashmore, Balochistan government is reluctant to give them access to the province to avoid clashes among different sections of the Bugti tribe. According to them, Kalpar clan of Bugti tribe is against the Bugti tribesmen led by Shahzain. On the other hand, Shahzain seems determined to enter Balochistan, saying that it is their homeland and nobody has the right to stop them from returning to their homes. The sources added that some influential persons from Balochistan are in constant touch with Shahzain and trying to convince him to end the blockade and return at a later date, but he refuses to budge.

A large number of the transporters are stranded at Dera Morr and their goods, especially fruits and vegetables, are going bad due to the inordinate delay. Some of the drivers said they have been waiting for the last five days.

The weather is very cold and they are facing acute shortage of food, water and other necessities, they complained.

Kashmore deputy commissioner Munawar Ali Mahesar told The Express Tribune that it is quite disturbing that thousands of people are freezing in the cold for the last five days.

He said that they are constantly in touch with Shahzain, but without any luck. It is impossible to take any action against them because a large number of women and children are accompanying them, he said.



The deputy commissioner said they were waiting patiently for a breakthrough and were optimistic that the sit-in will end in an amicable way soon. Despite repeated attempts, Shahzain didn’t receive the calls to give his comments.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2014.