Exiled Baloch leader slams Pak for booking fellow leaders supporting PM Modi

Hitting out at Islamabad for booking Baloch leaders in-exile for allegedly backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the atrocities in Pakistan's Balochistan province, exiled Baloch leader Munir Mengal asserted that Pakistan government was continuing to suppress their voices.

Stating that the people of Balochistan have been suffering from last 50 years, Mengal told ANI that that Prime Minister Modi had spoken for the humanity and freedom of Balochistan but the Nawaz Sharif-led government continued to suppress the voices supporting him by putting them behind bars.

"Prime Minister Modi made his statement on a humanitarian perspective. This move by Pakistan, however, does not come as a shock. Sometimes it lures by money, then threatens with sticks. People of Baloch are familiar with the tricks of Pakistan," he said.

Earlier in Pakistan, the local police said that five cases have been registered against Baloch leaders-in-exile in Balochistan's Khuzdar area for allegedly backing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on the atrocities in 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.

Acting District Police Officer Khuzdar Muhammad Ashraf Jatak said the petitioners claimed that Bugti, Marri and Karima Baloch had 'supported' Indian 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".