Violence in Baluchistan over detention of Sunni Ulama

Iran, Raask- The Iranian Police and security men opened fire on protestors in the Sunni-dominated city of Raask, south Baluchistan, killing at least a man where two others were injured on Monday, May 14, 2012.

SunniOnline has obtained credible reports and information from Raask that the violence erupted in the region following the blindly arrest of some eminent Sunni scholars of south Baluchistan, Iran. At least a man who was named Jan-Muhammad Dehqani lost his life in unrest incidents and two others received serious wounds.

Reports suggest that Molawi Shaikh Abdul-Ghaffar Naqshbandi was the last victim of the security authorities’ sporadic detentions. His father, Shaikh Fathi Muhammad Naqshbandi, is already in the custody of the Intelligence Ministry.

Authenticated sources told SunniOnline that the peaceful protests erupted after the arrest of Shaikh Ab. Ghaffar Naqshbandi while returning from Zahedan, provincial capital of Sistan-Baluchistan, at a police check post of Raask.

Shaikh Ab. Ghaffar had made a trip to Zahedan to follow up the case of his father’s detention. Shaikh Fathi Muhammad Naqshbandi was detained along with some other prominent Islamic scholars of the region including Shaikh Abdullah Mullazade, Khateeb of Parud, Sarbaz, and 13 others. Khateeb of Raask and other 13 scholars and citizens have been arrested on the basis of some baseless charges.

First reaction was observed from some women who witnessed the event of Molawi Naqshbandi’s detention by local police. Along with Baloch women, other disgruntled citizens took to streets protesting the blindly arrest of Sunni scholars. Security men targeted peaceful protesters shooting at least one of them and wounding some others.

According to receiving reports, Jakigur city, located near to Raask, also witnessed demonstration of citizens over the detention of the scholars. The situation is critical yet, as a huge presence of security forces is being observed patrolling on roads, sea ports and helicopters are flying over the region.  

It is pertinent to mention that the corpse of martyred Jan-Muhammad Dehqani, who was shot dead by police, was laid to rest in his birth place. Thousands of people participated in his funeral prayers.

Source: SunniOnline.us