Renowned progressive leader Baba Jan turns himself in at ATC, Gilgit
With reporting by Farman Karim
Gilgit, September 29: Baba Jan, a renowned progressive leader from the Gilgit-Baltistan region, presented himself for arrest in front of an ATC judge in Gilgit this morning. He was arrested and taken to the jail by the police.
Baba Jan, Vice President of Awami Workers Party and leader of the Progressive Youth Front, was sentenced to life in prison along with 11 other people by an Anti-Terrorism Court a couple of days back on the charges of putting government properties on fire and looting ammunition.
Baba Jan and the other eleven people deny the charges. CLICK FOR CASE BACKGROUND DETAILS
Talking to Pamir Times correspondent in Gilgit today, Baba Jan said that his struggle for justice and rights has always been peaceful. He said that the real culprits are roaming free and the killers of two IDPs from the Hunza valley are yet to be punished. He said that although the provincial government has declared them terrorists and sent them behind the bars, the peaceful struggle will continue.
It is pertinent to note that cases had been registered against Baba Jan and his 11 companions after riots broke out in Aliabad (Hunza), after two IDPs were shot dead on point-blank by police officials on the 11th of August 2011.
Baba Jan said that the decision of the Anti-Terrorism Court will be challenged in the higher courts of the region.
