Conflicting claims have emerged from the representatives of the Balochistan government and members of the Baloch Yakjehti Committee after a protest on Quetta’s Sariab Road was attempted to be dispersed on Friday. However, the sit-in continued on Saturday morning.

Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse a sit-in organised by the BYC on Sariab Road near the University of Balochistan on Friday. However, BYC leaders said that lethal forces had been used against the protestors, leaving three of them dead and 13 injured.

On the other hand, the government denied use of force against the protestors, claiming instead that the protestors had pelted police with stones.

A spokesman for the provincial government said that the government had acted ‘according to the law’ to clear the road for traffic. The spokesman added violence from protestors had injured 10 policemen on duty, including one female constable, who had to be taken to the hospital for treatment.

Media reports said that at least two bodies were brought to the Bolan Medical College Hospital while another was brought to the civil hospital.

Meanwhile, the BYC said on X that its leader Dr Mahrang Baloch has been arrested. The government has not commented on the arrest so far.

The sit-in was organised by the BYC to demand the release of Bebarg Baloch, a senior member of the organisation, as well as several others.

Despite the government’s attempt to disperse the protest, BYC members continued to organize the sit-in in Quetta. A shutter-down strike is being observed in several other cities as well. The Balochistan National Party has also announced support for the protest.