Quetta bombing victims burial tied to military security

QUETTA: Amid countrywide protests against the bombing in Quetta, which killed at least 85 Hazara's on Saturday, the community leaders on Sunday announced they would not bury their dead until the Pakistan Army was in control of Quetta. The protesters vow to continue their sit-in unless their demand is met.

Quetta city wears a gloomy look as members of the Hazara continue their sit-in at Hazara Town and demand that the government protect them from bombings and shootings. “We will continue the sit-in unless Quetta is handed over to the army for security,” said a spokesman for the Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM).

Leader of the MWM, Sajid Naqvi while talking to media persons in Quetta said the tragic incidents were happening just because of lack of effective action against the elements involved in terrorism. He regretted that the state could not protect them so they are thinking to taking steps for their protection on their own.

“Our state institutions have all the resources to take action against the culprits and as such they should ensure protection of the masses,” he said. He demanded that Quetta be cleansed of arms and ammunition immediately.

Meanwhile, the Hazara Democratic Party (HDP) gave an ultimatum of 48 hours for the arrest of those involved in the Kirani road carnage.
“If the culprits involved in the incident were not apprehended then the protest would be lodged in front of the high court on a daily basis,” vice chairman HDP Azizullah Hazara announced in a press conference. He vowed to intensify the protest movement, staging demonstrations worldwide, particularly in European countries, Australia, America as well as in front of the offices of the United Nations to condemn the killings of Hazaras in Quetta.

President Balochistan Shia Conference Syed Dawood Agha in a news conference said the blood of our own people is being shed unfairly, which is tantamount to playing with the stability of the country. “We have become a community of gravediggers. We are so used to death now that we always have shrouds ready,” he said.

Chairman of the Quetta Yakjehti Council Qayum Changezi strongly criticised the performance of the police and other law enforcement agencies in curbing terrorism in the province. He charged that the law enforcers have just failed to protect the life and property of the common man including the Hazaras.