GILGIT: Four people were arrested by the police for allegedly pelting stones on the office of the Special Communications Organisation (SCO) at Danyore area of Gilgit during a public protest last month.

The FIR was registered under the anti-terrorism act in the police station of Danyore against unknown persons for violation of the law during the protest sit-in against an increase in the subsidised wheat price and other grievances.

The sit-in was held on the call of Awami Action Committee (ACC). The FIR said some people chanted slogans against Pakistan Army and SCO and started pelting the main gate of the SCO on Karakoram Highway in Danyore with stones. They also tried to enter the government property and damage security equipment.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of Inayat Ali, a resident of Jalalabad village. Though no names were mentioned in the FIR, police arrested Maqsood, Ibrahim, Gul Baz andHussain Akbar Shah, residents of Danyore.

ACC leader and PPP local president Amjad Hussain Advocate, who is also member of the GB assembly, condemned the FIR and termed the case “bogus”.

“Peaceful protest is the right of the people.Arresting protesters and political activists for raising voice for public issues is undemocratic and an authoritarian practice,” he said in a statement. He also demanded that the arrested political workers should be released immediately.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2024