Press Release
The central executive
committee of Baloch Community (UK) in its meeting expressed concern over the
role of Iranian and Pakistani authorities in dealing with the disaster in
both parts of Balochistan. The meeting noted the apathy of Iran and Pakistan
and the shameless denial of this catastrophe that struck large population of
Balochistan with deep concern. The central executive committee termed the
insensitiveness of Iranian and Pakistani regimes delivering immediate relief
to the affected people in the flooded areas as inhuman, immoral and
anti-Baloch.
The executive committee
observed that the flood disaster in Balochistan has killed hundreds, and
made thousands home less. For many days, the whole areas of Chahbahar,
Iranshahar, Dashtiari Sarawaan and different areas in Zahedan region were
paralysed but instead of providing relief to the affected areas, the Iranian
authorities forced the media not to mention anything about the disaster in
that part of Balochistan for five days. Similarly, the military regime in
Pakistan that has a vast experience in deploying helicopter gunship to kill
innocent Baloch women and children was unable to deploy a single helicopter
for the rescue of thousands of people in Pakistani Balochistan marooned by
Mirani Dam waters in Kech District and by seasonal rivers in other parts of
Balochistan.
The meeting observed that
recent floods destroyed infrastructure, livelihoods of millions of people in
both parts of Balochistan. The meeting also observed that the catastrophic
situation in Balochistan is not due to natural outburst, it's a man made
disaster, outcome of one of the mega developments, "Mirani dam", applauded
by military junta and its lackeys. The damage is widespread, and the
situation is distressing and disappointing especially in Kech District of
Pakistani Balochistan. More then two dozen villages in the catchments area
of the dam have been affected; around 1 million have become homeless and
lost their basic agro-economic infrastructure due to the back flow of the
Mirani Dam. Other areas of Pakistani Balochistan like Jhal Magsi, Khuzdar,
Chagai, Naushki, Washuk and Mashkail regions in the province are also
severely affected by heavy rains.
The meeting expressed its concern on the reports of out break of diseases,
malnourishment of affected people and lack of drinking water in the areas.
The executive committee of Baloch Community (UK) appealed to the
international community to come forward and give a helping hand to Baloch
people directly and the flood affected people should not be left at the
mercy of brutal and insensitive Iranian and Pakistani regimes. The committee
stressed to the international community that provision of housing,
developing infrastructure, providing basic livelihood stuff, revitalising
the livestock of the affected people should be done under the direct
supervision of international agencies to prevent to siphoning of
international funds to personal accounts of Pakistani officials. The meeting
also appealed to the international community to pressurize Pakistani regime
to stop the brutal and repressive military operation in Balochistan.
The executive committee of
Baloch Community (UK) strongly demanded that an international enquiry should
be conducted and the responsible should be brought into account for planning
the Mirani dam and deliberately submerging thousands of Baloch people.
The committee appealed to
Baloch in Diaspora to donate into Emergency Relief Fund formed by the
committee in its meeting for the relief of flood affected people in both
parts of Balochistan.
bcuk@hotmail.co.uk
6th july 2007
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Posted: 20070706
