QUETTA: Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has condemned the gory incidents in which eight members of Hazara community were killed and instructed the officials concerned to immediately arrest the perpetrators.

Chairing a meeting on the law and order situation in Balochistan on Thursday, Dr Baloch directed the officials to expedite their efforts to provide adequate security to people.

Provincial Home Minis­ter Mir Sarfaraz Bugti, Minister for Planning and Development Dr Hamid Khan Achakzai, Chief Secretary Saifullah Chatta, CSO Southern Command Major General Majid Ahsan, IG Police Amlesh Khan, DIG FC, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Muhammad Naseem Lehri, Brigadier Javed Chandio, Commander of 61 Brigade, Commander of Ghazaband Scouts, commissioners of six divisions, CCPO Quetta, RPOs and other officials also attended the meeting.

About the terrorist attack in Hazarganji, the meeting was informed that police personnel normally escorted Hazara vegetable vendors to fruit market. However on Thursday they left for the market without informing police.

The meeting was told that different teams had been formed to arrest the assailants and to investigate the attacks.

During the past three months the law and order situation had largely remained satisfactory as incidents of target killing, kidnapping for ransom and other crimes had been reduced to a great extent.

The meeting was also briefed about the security plan for Muharram-ul-Haram.

Speaking at the meeting, Dr Baloch said that killing innocent people was an inhuman act and against our traditions as well as teachings of Islam. He said the elements behind such attacks deserved no compassion.

The chief minister said his government was making all-out efforts to revamp police and improve their capacity. That was why a positive change could be seen in the performance of police and Levies personnel in Kalat, Sibi, Zhob and Naseerabad divisions.

Expressing regrets over the deteriorating law and order situation in Makran and Quetta, Dr Baloch said that incidents of crime were once again taking place which was a matter of concern for the government and the people.

He also took notice of delay in installation of CCTV cameras and called for early completion of the project.

Dr Baloch directed the law-enforcement agencies to step up their efforts for providing security to the masses and their property.

Earlier, the meeting offered prayers for the people who were killed in the terrorist attacks.

Published in Dawn, October 24th, 2014