October 22, 2023
1 min read

Activist’s Detention Fuels Outrage in Gilgit Baltistan

The protesters blamed the security forces for misusing the Anti-Terrorism Act against the activists and the residents….reports Asian Lite News

Residents launched a protest against the local administration in the Skardu district of Gilgit Baltistan over the arrest of Shabbir Mayyar, a prominent activist who was demanding the opening of Skardu-Kargil Road.

The occupied region has long been grappling with severe crises such as high inflation and shortage of commodities, and people have been demanding the resumption of trade with India.

The protesters blamed the security forces for misusing the Anti-Terrorism Act against the activists and the residents.

The protesters said they believed that the Islamabad-backed local administration in Gilgit Baltistan is against their reasonable demand for the opening of the Skardu-Kargil road and have been arresting those who speak up in their favour.

A local leader from the Awami Action Committee addressed a public gathering, demanding the immediate release of Shabbir Mayyar.

“He (Shabbir Mayyar) is the voice of Gilgit-Baltistan. He should be released immediately. The only crime Shabbir Mayar committed was that he raised a slogan, ‘ Aar par Jod do, Kargil border khol do ‘ (Remove barricades from the Kargil border and let the people commute). Whoever speaks of the Kargil border is threatened and punished by them,” he said.

The arrest of Shabbir Mayyar and many other activists has triggered widespread unrest among locals.

Another local activist said, “Our community is not afraid of anyone. Rather than listening to the public, they (the administration) are arresting the poor. They think that by arresting poor people, they can scare us. No, we aren’t afraid. We are here to prove them wrong. Through this platform, I announce that we are all with Shabbir Mayar. Unless they are released, we will stand by them.”

It is believed that the Anti-Terrorism Act, which was introduced to expeditiously bring the perpetrators of terror to justice, has gradually become a tool of extrajudicial killing and repression in Gilgit Baltistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. (ANI)

ALSO READ: Key Anti-India Operative Dawood Malik Gunned Down in Pakistan

Previous Story

US Ambassador Joins Delhi’s Durga Puja Festivities

Next Story

China’s PLA Keeps Vigil on LAC with India, Pentagon Confirms

Latest from -Top News

India Hits $1 Trillion FDI Milestone

Between April 2014 and September 2024, India attracted USD 709 billion in FDI, accounting for 69% of the total inflows since 2000. India has reached a remarkable economic milestone, with Foreign Direct

Maha Kumbh 2025: Festivities Begin

Women participated in a special Ganga Aarti at the Triveni Sangam in Uttar Pradesh’s Prayagraj earlier. The ritual also served as a rehearsal for the upcoming Kumbh Mela. The festivities for Maha
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Qureshi turns dissenter after being overlooked by Imran

Some of the Ministries that could not find their place

28% fall in tax payments by Pak lawmakers

The highest taxpayer among the parliamentarians is Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI)’s