Cases against Baloch leaders-in-exile highlight Pak's frustration: BJP

Condemning the move to register cases against Baloch leaders-in-exile for allegedly backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Monday said this step has been taken out of frustration and intolerance.

BJP leader Sudesh Verma said this is yet another proof of human rights violation in Balochistan.

"We are very convinced that the Pakistani establishment is not able to give justice to the people of Balochistan. If some people there found that Indian Prime Minister's statement was correct and represented. there is no reason to take action against them. Action should be taken to provide remedy to the situation," Verma told ANI.

"Balochistan is suffering and India has rightly raised the issue. What Pakistan is doing now in the name of vendetta is going to further add to the criticism on the issue of human rights violation in Pakistan," he added.

Verma said it reflects Pakistan's frustration as the Asian neighbour would never tolerate that someone in Balochistan is supporting the Indian Prime Minister's statement.

"This has to be understood that the Indian Prime Minister's statement came because India cannot be silent to what is happening in Balochistan. India aspires to be a member of the UN Security Council and has to live up to its' responsibility and raise the issues of human rights violation in its neighbourhood also," he said.

Five cases have been registered against Baloch leaders-in-exile in Balochistan's Khuzdar area for allegedly backing Prime Minister Modi's remarks on the atrocities in Pakistan's Balochistan province.

The cases were registered against Baloch Republican Party's (BRP) Brahamdagh Bugti, Baloch liberation leader Harbiyar Marri and Baloch Students Organisation chairperson Karima Baloch.

The complaints were filed by Munir Ahmed, Maulana Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Hussain, Ghulam Yaseen Jatak and Muhammad Rahim at five police stations in Balochistan's Khuzdar area, reports the Dawn.

Acting District Police Officer Khuzdar Muhammad Ashraf Jatak said the petitioners claimed that Bugti, Marri and Karima Baloch had 'supported' Prime Minister Modi's August 15 speech.

The Baloch leaders-in-exile were booked under Sections 120, 121, 123 and 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code which refer to "concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment", "waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan", "concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war", and "assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty".

Prime Minister Modi, in his Independence Day address, had thanked the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for the goodwill they have shown towards him.

He had in an all-party meeting on Kashmir said the "time has come that Pakistan shall have to answer to the world for the atrocities committed by it against the people in Balochistan and PoK".

His statement about atrocities in Balochistan has hit a nerve with Pakistan, which has now voiced that it would raise the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Last week, Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri slammed the Indian Premier's remarks days after Baloch leader Bugti appreciated 'support' given to the Baloch people.

He also accused Bugti of "getting funds from Indians".