Students at Lasbela University of Agriculture, Water and Marine Sciences (LUAWMS) in Uthal continued their sit-in protest for the fifth consecutive day on Wednesday, demanding the safe release of their missing peer, Bayandur Baloch.
The protesters have set up a camp outside the university and held a rally on Wednesday, joined by Bayan’s family members, who called for his immediate release. Demonstrators also organized a seminar to highlight the issue of enforced disappearances in Balochistan.
Baloch Yakjehti Committee (BYC) activist Gullzadi Baloch and Mahzeb Baloch, the niece of enforced disappearance victim Rashid Hussain, joined the sit-in to express solidarity with the students.
The protesters have boycotted classes and exams in response to the enforced disappearance of Bayandur Baloch. However, students alleged that the university administration is pressuring them to take midterm exams despite the ongoing protests.
Bayandur Baloch, a student in the Agriculture Department at LUAWMS, was reportedly detained along with his friends from Uthal Bazaar a few days ago. While his friends were later released, Bayan remains missing.
The students expressed grave concern for his safety and demanded that he be either released or presented in court. They warned that their sit-in protest would continue until their demands are met.