October 30, 2001	Tuesday	Shaba'an 12, 1422

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QUETTA, Oct 29: Government deported 15 Afghan refugees through Chaman border on Monday for their involvement in violent anti-American protests here on Oct 8.

Balochistan Police Inspector General Dr Shoaib Suddle disclosed in a news conference here, “These Afghan refugees were found very much involved in violence during an Oct 8 anti-US demonstrations in the provincial capital.”

He said the deported persons were the main accused provoking the people to attack private and public property during the day-long disturbance.

He said the refugees had no family, which help the authorities in deporting them to Afghanistan. He said their fingerprints and photographs were taken by the police and would be provided at all entry points and check posts to prevent their reentry into Pakistan.

Dr Suddle said the refugees were handed over to the immigration authorities at Chaman who sent them back to Afghanistan.

He said the deportation of Afghans would be a strong massage for other Afghan refugees living in Pakistan and new arrivals crossing into Pakistan. “We will not allow any Afghan refugee of other people to take law in their own hands,” the IGP said.

Replying to a question, the Balochistan police chief said that on Oct 8, police had rounded up around 300 people and half of them were Afghan refugees.

He said that the refugees must remember that they were not citizens of the country and as refugees they had no right to take part in political activities.