News
Wednesday, April 04, 2012
SC comes down hard on top Balochistan officials* Court says recovery of bodies, kidnappings show LEAs either helpless or too weak to take action against criminals
By Mohammad Zafar
QUETTA: Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry said on Tuesday the incessant recovery of mutilated bodies, increasing incidents of kidnapping and targeted killings affirm the notion that law enforcement agencies were either helpless or too weak to take action against criminals.
A three-member Supreme Court (SC) bench, headed by Justice Chaudhry, heard the case on the deteriorating law and order situation in Balochistan. The Balochistan chief secretary, IGP and home secretary appeared before the court.“It is ironic that you know 206 bodies were found dumped in different parts of Balochistan but failed to find any clue about the causes and who are behind these killings,” the chief justice remarked when Home Secretary Nasebullah Bazai presented details of unrest.
The figures provided by the Home Department were different from the report of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). The IB, in its report, said 52 bodies were found dumped this year, but the Home Department said 44 bodies were found during the past three months.
“The discovery of mutilated bodies is fuelling hatred and tarnishing image of the country. You should interview the victim families and dig deeper to know who is responsible for this massacre,” Justice Chaudhry said.
“Balochistan used to be a peaceful region but now look at your surroundings… what kind of slogans people are raising?”The government told the court that no FIR had been registered regarding the recovery of bodies. Justice Chaudhry and Justice Tariq Pervez directed the home secretary to take bold steps to restore order in the province.
The Balochistan advocate general submitted a report on steps taken to improve law and order situation in Balochistan. But the chief justice expressed his dissatisfaction with the report, saying if the “report says the law and order situation is improving then it is a lie”.
“Do we look like fools or do we know nothing? I do not see writ of the government in Balochistan where people are forced to migrate. I am not talking about settlers alone. There were non-settlers, including Baloch and other ethnic groups, who have migrated from the province due to deteriorating law and order situation,” the chief justice said.
“The people were forced off a bus and lined up before being ruthlessly shot dead. Kidnappings and killings are on the rise, what are the ISI, MI and IB doing?”
The chief justice told the Balochistan IGP, “It is beyond my understanding how could you sleep given the situation of province.”
Advocate General Amanullah Kanrani said that around 80 people were kidnapped from different parts of Balochistan.
“The home minister has on the record told the media that provincial ministers are involved in kidnappings. Why then action is not taken against such ministers?” Justice Chaudhry asked.
“The officials must investigate who is throwing bodies. Were they killed by their own people or were they involved in any anti-state activities? It is the responsibility of state to find clues.”
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk