QUETTA, Sept 16: The leader of opposition in the provincial assembly, Mr Kachkol Baloch, and Balochistan National Party (Mengal) MPA Mir Akbar Mengal on Thursday condemned the cabinet's decision to withdraw the security guards of tribal elders and ban carrying of licensed weapons.

Speaking at a press conference in the opposition leader's chamber in the assembly building, they said the move would endanger the lives of tribal elders, including Sardar Akhter Mengal and Sardar Sanaullah Zehri.

They said disarming of security guards of elders involved in tribal conflicts would create disorder in the society. They said the tribal chiefs who supported the government would benefit from the policy. They alleged that there were 'ulterior motives' behind the government's decision.

They said the movement of elders affiliated with different parties from one place to another was not possible without armed security guards due to tribal rivalries. They alleged that the government wanted to stop Akhter Mengal and Sanaullah Zehri from playing their political role because they were raising voice against the looting of the natives' resources and injustice with them in the province.

They said the nationalist parties would not let the government allow the tribal elders who support it use government machinery and official security guards and isolate the real leadership of the Baloch.