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The long march protesting the “Baloch Genocide,” initiated in Turbat on December 6, encountered violent repression upon reaching Islamabad, resulting in the arrest of over 300 participants and numerous injuries. The peaceful demonstration aimed to draw attention to issues of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings in Balochistan.
Participants, having traversed Balochistan peacefully, were met with force by Islamabad Police wielding batons, tear gas, and water cannons during a sit-in at Chongi No. 26. Denied access to the Islamabad Press Club for the Baloch Yakjehti Committee’s sit-in, the crackdown led to arrests and injuries, including protest leader Dr. Mahrang Baloch, journalist Somaiyah Hafeez Baloch, and numerous women and children.
After her arrest, Dr. Mahrang Baloch posted on social media platform ‘X’, stating, “I have been arrested along with several women and men by Islamabad police .but remember fascist state, we will defeat you.” She emphasized the protesters’ determination despite arrests and violence.
I have been arrested along with several women and men by Islamabad police .but remember fascist state, we will defeat you.
— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) December 20, 2023
The situation escalated when BYC’s sit-in participants, attempting to protest police violence at Chungi No. 26, faced aggressive police action in front of the Islamabad Press Club. This led to additional arrests and injuries, captured in chaotic scenes on social media.
#MarchAgainstBalochGenocide is under attack by the Islamabad police. Many of our youth have been arrested, & many have been injured by tear gas shelling and violence. Right now, we are being treated worse than animals. Will the world raise its voice for us against this barbarism? pic.twitter.com/zxDeGxT8zD
— Mahrang Baloch (@MahrangBaloch_) December 20, 2023
Sammi Deen Baloch, another march leader, shared her experiences, highlighting the state’s ‘brutal’ response and feeling alienated from the state’s constitution and laws after roads were closed upon her return.
اسلام آباد :صبح سے بھوکے ہماری مائیں بہنیں بھوک پیاس اور سردی میں بغیر واش روم لیڑین کی سہولیات کی کھلی فضا میں بیٹھی ہیں
میں بلوچستان والوں سے کہنا چاہتی ہوں میرے ہم وطنوں !
اسلام آباد میں ہمیں سننا اپنی جگہ یہ ہمیں بھوک پیاس اورسردی سے مارنا چاہتے ہیں ان میں انسانیت نہیں ہے. pic.twitter.com/1mSuRQoU1N— Sammi Deen Baloch (@SammiBaluch) December 20, 2023
Subsequently, Islamabad Police conducted early morning raids targeting Baloch students and activists, part of a strategy to suppress Baloch voices, according to the Baloch Yakjehti Committee Islamabad.
In a concerning development, Pakistani forces attempted to transport detained Baloch women to Quetta, but they refused, prompting plans to send them in police vans, treating them like prisoners.
Islamabad Police are using force against protesters who marched from #Balochistan to Islamabad. The participants have been forcibly loaded onto a military truck and are being shifted somewhere. Why is #Pakistan afraid of protests? There is a genocide going on in Balochistan. pic.twitter.com/B8nq7Z7qVg
— Jamal Baloch (@Jam__Baloch) December 21, 2023
The police crackdown drew sharp criticism from human rights organizations. Amnesty International expressed concern over excessive force, noting violations of rights to freedom and protest.
Pakistan: @amnesty is deeply concerned by the excessive use of force by law enforcement against the Baloch Long March protestors in Islamabad on 21 December. Amnesty has reviewed videos showing water cannons, tear gas and batons being used against the protestors. Dozens have been…
— Amnesty International South Asia, Regional Office (@amnestysasia) December 21, 2023
The HRCP condemned the violent response, calling for the release of detained women and urging the government to address legitimate demands.
HRCP strongly condemns the violent police crackdown on Baloch protestors in Islamabad, with women, children and the elderly subjected to unwarranted force in the form of water cannons and use of batons. Numerous women protestors have reportedly been arrested and separated from…
— Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (@HRCP87) December 21, 2023
In response, widespread protests erupted across Balochistan, disrupting traffic on highways and expressing public outcry. The Baloch Yakjehti Committee announced a Balochistan-wide strike and highway blockades as a direct response to the crackdown, condemning actions against peaceful demonstrators, particularly the elderly, women, and children.
