Human Rights Activist Mahrang Baloch arrested along with supporters while protesting in Quetta
In the early hours of Saturday morning, Baloch human rights activist and central leader of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC), Dr. Mahrang Baloch, was arrested by Quetta police while participating in a sit-in protest against ongoing atrocities faced by the Baloch community
The Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) shared details of her detention on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), revealing that security forces also seized the bodies of slain youth that had been present at the protest site.
“Quetta police and administration have arrested BYC central leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch along with several associates. The bodies of the martyred youth have also been taken into custody,” the statement read.
The Quetta police crackdown extended beyond Baloch activists, with reports stating that women and children were also targeted. The authorities detained multiple activists and used force to disperse the demonstrators.
The sit-in protest in Quetta’s Sariab area was initially organized in response to the abduction-like arrests of key BYC members, including Bebigar Baloch, Dr. Hamal, Dr. Ilyas, and Saeed Baloch, along with several women.
During the demonstration, security forces allegedly used tear gas, water cannons, and bullets against the protesters, leading to the deaths of three Baloch youths and injuries to many others.
BYC described these violent actions as a form of state terrorism. The organization had staged a sit-in on Friday night, displaying the bodies of the youth killed during police action. However, the authorities forcibly dispersed the protesters, seized the bodies, and arrested Dr. Mahrang Baloch and her fellow activists.
Before her arrest, Mahrang Baloch had released a video message at midnight, condemning the state’s oppression of the Baloch people and calling for a complete shutdown across Balochistan.
“The Baloch Solidarity Committee announces a complete shutter-down and wheel-jam strike across Balochistan in protest against this state terrorism and oppression,” she declared
The Balochistan region has long been embroiled in conflict, with nationalist groups demanding greater political autonomy, control over natural resources, and improved socio-economic conditions. While Baloch activists seek independence or enhanced rights, the Pakistani government has responded with military interventions and crackdowns on dissent.
The latest arrests and violent suppression of protests further highlight the growing tensions between the Baloch community and the state, raising concerns over human rights violations in the region.
