Victims of April 4 2010 protest suffer in Gojal Valley

PT Report

Hunza, April 4: Last year, four months after the January 4, 2010 landslide at Attabad and the resultant lake formation in Gojal Valley, a large number of local people had staged a demonstration in Gulmit on the birth anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.

The birth anniversary of Z.A.Bhutto had been used as “a day of awakening and protection of rights of Gojal”.

One week after the demonstration last year, cases were registered against several activists, including some students, under different charges, including road blockade and disruption of social order. The cases were largely seen as part of “political vengeance” unleashed by the PPP led government of Gilgit – Baltistan.

The Chief Minister of Gilgit – Baltistan and Chief Secretary, both, have at different occasions promised to withdraw the cases but so far no progress has been made in this regard.

Aziz Muhammad, a representative of the Gojal Youth Organization, has said that the government has failed to fulfil its promises with the people of Gojal and instead cases have been registered against those who raised their voices against injustice.

He also said that the entire government of Gilgit – Baltistan has failed to provide a single doctor on permanent basis for the Tehsil Headquarter Hospital at Gulmit. “Instead of trying to suppress our voices the political leaders and administration should use their authority to resolve issues of the flood affected region”, Aziz said, while talking to Pamir Times.