KARACHI, Aug 28: The Baloch Rabita Ittefaq Tehrik (BRIT) has condemned the firing on fishermen of Gwadar by law enforcement agencies. They said the demonstrators were peaceful and demanding ban on the use of fine nets at the Mekran coast, as these were harmful for marine life.

A meeting of BRIT, presided over by its chief Prince Mohyuddin Baloch, urged the government to conduct an inquiry into the causes of the firing, and demanded that those found guilty be punished irrespective of their status.

The meeting observed that the massive demonstration had shown that there was growing unrest among the people of Mekran coast. “We are not opposed to any development work, but we want it to be people-oriented.”

The meeting urged that the government must take into confidence the representatives of the people to prepare the master plan for Gwadar. It said: “The master plan prepared by Nespak does not reflect the true aspirations of the locals as it ignores the ground realities.”

The meeting observed that the master plan was prepared without taking into confidence the representatives of Gwadar.

BRIT appreciated the government’s interest in the development of Gwadar deep-sea port and Makran coast.

But at the same time it demanded all steps should be taken to protect the interest of the local people.