Baloch party to discuss asylum in India

Amid speculation that Baloch leader Brahumdagh Bugti may seek asylum in India, his party will meet in Geneva on September 18 and 19 to take a decision on the issue.

Baloch Republican Party (BRP) spokesman Sher Mohammad Bugti, who is in Geneva, told IANS over telephone that the Central Committee will discuss many issues including those pertaining to Balochs outside Balochistan.

"In the meeting we will also take a decision on how and when to apply for asylum," Sher Mohammad Bugti told IANS.

He said he was not aware of reports that BRP leader Brahumdagh Bugti may seek asylum in India. "Till now he has not applied officially for asylum in India," he said.

Brahumdagh Bugti is the grandson of Baloch nationalist leader Akbar Bugti, who died in a military operation in Balochistan in 2006.

Earlier, Brahumdagh Bugti told CNN News 18 that people of Balochistan were living in "very terrible conditions" and that the Baloch issue got more attention after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi referred to the rights abuses there.

"After Modi's speech (on India's Independence Day) people have started talking about Balochistan," Brahumdagh Bugti said.

--IANS

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