6/07/2014

Baloch student activist ends hunger strike

KARACHI - Baloch student activist Latif Johar Baloch on Friday evening ended his hunger strike till death.


Johar was on hunger strike in protest against the alleged abduction of Baloch Student Organisation-Azad (BSO-A) chief Zahid Baloch. His strike entered the 46th day on Friday. Mama Qadeer Baloch, who is working for the recovery and rights of Baloch missing persons, along with other human rights activists convinced Johar to end his hunger strike.
Mama Qadeer Baloch, HRCP Sindh chapter vice chairman Asad Butt, Asia Human Rights Commission leader Bushra Khaliq, educationist and a vocal voice for Baloch rights Mir Ali Talpur and others arrived at the camp outside the Karachi Press Club where they held press conference. Latif Johar Baloch, central leader of BSO-Azad, ended his hunger strike till death with the juice brought by Mama Qadeer.
The hunger strike till death was initiated by Latif Johar, 22, as a last resort after all efforts to trace Zahid Baloch were failed. The primarily demand of the students was to get Mr Baloch produced before the court even if the state agencies claimed that he has committed any crime. 
Johar was camping outside the Karachi Press Club and has been on hunger strike for more than 46 days now. His condition was deteriorating and he has lost a lot of weight. His glucose level has gone 51 - a condition that doctors claim can cause a heart attack. He was also suffering from severe abdominal pain.
Earlier, Asian Human Rights Commission leader Basir Naveed during his video press conference from Hong Kong appealed to Johar to end his hunger strike as his organisation.
The AHRC condemned the act of ignoring the struggle of Baloch Students Organisation. They said the life of disappeared person, Zahid Baloch is in danger as evidence by the torture marks on the bodies of the persons released as well as those dead from such illegal detention centers.
Meanwhile, Baloch nationalist leader Nawab Khair Bux Marri was admitted to a private hospital because of illness.
Marri, 90, is the father of Balach Marri who was killed in an attack by the Afghan soldiers. Nawab Khair Bux Marri started the slogan of arms struggle for the rights of Baloch people during the regime of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto. He is settled in Karachi since long.

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