KARACHI, Aug 26: Nationalist parties and groups in the city observed the second death anniversary of Nawab Akbar Bugti, chieftain of the Bugti tribe and a former governor of Balochistan, by holding memorial meetings, protest rallies and demonstrations in different parts of the city on Tuesday.

Nawab Bugti, along with some of his close associates and relatives, was killed during a military action in Sangseela mountains, near Dera Bugti, on Aug 27, 2006.

The Nawab and his companions had barricaded themselves in a cave to escape arrest by the security forces chasing the defiant chieftain into the mountains.

The hideout caved in under mysterious circumstances causing death of all those present inside. The Nawab’s family members and supporters blame security forces for having blasted the hideout.

A joint rally was organised by the Jamhoori Watan Party, founded by Nawab Bugti, the Balochistan National Party-Mengal (BNM-M) and the Baloch Alliance outside the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday to observed the anniversary.

Speaking at the rally, the Baloch nationalist leaders demanded an immediate halt to the military operation in Balochistan, claiming that the situation obtaining in that province had been grim since the launching of the operation against opponents of the former military ruler Pervez Musharraf.

They strongly condemned the alleged kidnapping by security forces of a large number of Baloch activists during the operation, and claimed that many of them were still missing. They demanded release of all the activists and recovery of the “missing” ones.

“We vehemently condemn the continued onslaught against Baloch populace in the Marri and Bugti areas of Balochistan and demand arrest of the military dictator, Gen Pervez Musharraf, so that he could be tried for the war crimes he had committed in Balochistan,” they said.

Carrying banners and placards in support of their demands, the nationalist activists deplored that hundreds of Baloch people in the province, particularly the Bugti and

Marri areas, had been subjected to inhuman treatment during the prolonged military operation.

“Heavy casualties were inflicted on innocent civilians, including women and children,” they claimed, adding that the local population suffered destruction of their houses, lands and other assets. A large number of families had to flee their ancestral lands to escape death and destruction.

“It’s barbarism… and height of brutality unleashed on unarmed civilians by the rulers,” the Baloch leaders observed. They urged the elected government not to pursue the policies of Gen Musharraf anymore and declare an immediate halt to the operation.

Vowing to accomplish the late Nawab’s mission for achieving the sovereign rights of Balochistan and all constitutional rights of the Baloch people, the leaders pledged to continue their struggle till the last drop of their blood.

Those who spoke at the rally included Dr Jehanzeb Baloch (BNP-Mengal), Salim Baloch (JWP), Zahid Baloch and Dr Nawaz.

Another rally was organised by the Baloch National Front (BNF) at Haat Chowk near Chawkiwara in Lyari. The participants, holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans of “Independent Balochistan” staged a demonstration and marched in the streets.

Many of them were holding big portraits of Nawab Akbar Bugti and Balaach Marri in their hands.

BNF leaders spoke at the rally and paid tribute to the Nawab for laying down his life for the cause of Balochistan and its people. They reaffirmed their resolve to continue the struggle for the right to self-determination of Baloch people and condemned the successive governments for “turning Balochistan into a colony”.