KARACHI, Oct 15: Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) secretary-general Iqbal Haider on Saturday voiced concern over the continuing violence and clashes between civilians and law-enforcement agencies in Gilgit for the last three days, which had resulted in the death of 12 people, including women, and two Rangers personnel.

He said that clamping curfew for more than three days with no break had only added to the miseries of the people as their survival had become more difficult without the supply of food, fuel and other necessities of life.

According to reports, the clash started when students were protesting the death of their colleague in the custody of the law-enforcement authorities. Death in custody was an outrageous criminal and inhuman behaviour of the authorities who deserve to be condemned and prosecuted for such acts, the former senator said.

It was disturbing that the clash came, according to news reports, after the protesters had dispersed and were returning home, but were stopped and baton-charged by the law-enforcement authorities, at a picket manned by Rangers.

The HRCP condemned the outrage in the strongest terms, Mr Haider said, adding that the shooting seems to follow a distinct pattern of brutality and violence towards citizens by the state’s security apparatus.

He said that repeated clashes between peaceful demonstrators and police had been reported in recent months, in many cases leading to injuries and losses of life inflicted on civilians and adding to the acute sense of victimization and harassment among the local citizens.

The HRCP called upon the government to take measures for protecting lives and properties of the people of Gilgit; restoration of peace and harmony; normalization of situation and prosecution of culprits and law-enforcement personnel who resorted to violence and tortured to death a student in their custody.