March 31, 2006	Friday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 1, 1427

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QUETTA, March 30: Police on Thursday registed cases against President of Balochistan National Party (Mengal) Sardar Akhtar Mengal, Senator Sanaullah Baloch, MNA Abdul Rauf Mengal and several other party leaders and workers.

According to sources, cases had been registered against the party leaders in Khuzdar, Kalat and Mastung for incitement to violence and using harsh language against the government during public meetings.

The party’s secretary-general, Senator Sanaullah Baloch, confirmed the reports and said that that cases against nine party leaders including Prince Musa Jan Ahmedzai had been registered in Khuzdar, Kalat and Mastung. "We cannot be intimidated by registration of cases against us," he said, adding that it was nothing new.

He said that they had always faced false cases, adding that a large number of party leaders and workers were in police custody and were being tortured.

He said that the BNP believed in democratic principles, adding that it was mobilizing people through organising rallies and public meetings in various areas in Balochistan.

He said that the party had done nothing wrong by informing the people about the true situation in the province.

Senator Sana Baloch told this correspondent that freedom of expression was the basic constitutional right of every individual, including political leaders. Criticizing the government for registering cases against the party’s cadre, he said: “The government has not declared an emergency in the province, under which political rallies and public meetings cannot be organized," Senator Sanaullah Baloch said.

He warned that the trend of pushing the opposition against the wall could harm the government.

He reiterated that the party would not relent in its struggle despite the registration of cases, adding that it would not abandon its struggle for securing legitimate rights of the Baloch people.