The sit-in protest on Western bypass in Quetta continued for the third day as families of coal miners killed in Geshtri, Mach refuse to bury the dead bodies.
A large number of Hazara community members have continued their sit-in, along with the dead bodies of colliers killed in Mach on Sunday. The protestors have vowed to continue their protest until Pakistani prime minister Imran Khan visits Quetta and assures strict action the culprits.
Earlier, on Monday Pakistani federal minister Sheikh Rasheed visited Quetta to convince the victim families. However, the protestors said they are not satisfied with the assurances given by Sheikh Rasheed, and will continue the protest until Imran Khan himself comes to Quetta.
Talking to media, Hazara leader Syed Mohammad Raza said they have been pleading for security for 22 years now. “The callous indifference of provincial government is staggering, we demand their immediate resignation,” he said.
On other hand, Balochistan Traders Forum staged a demonstration in front of Quetta Press Club. They demanded arrest of the culprits.
The Central Association of Traders of Balochistan has also announced a shutter-down strike on Thursday in Quetta. In a statement the association said, “despite sheer number of check posts by security forces, occurrence of such a tragedy is beyond comprehension.”
11 coal miners were killed, and four others were injured in Geshteri area of Mach by armed assailants on Sunday. The victims belonged to Hazara community, a religious and ethnic minority settled in Quetta.
The so-called Islamic State had claimed responsibility for the attack through its Amaaq news agency.