Action against Baloch leaders-in-exile 'not surprising', says Congress

New Delhi, Aug 22 (ANI): With cases being registered against Baloch leaders-in-exile for allegedly backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks, the Congress Party on Monday said there is no surprise in it as any support to the Indian establishment was supposed to bring such a reaction. "This was bound to happen with the Pakistani establishment extremely hostile to the Bloch leaders it would have happened and I think it is nothing that comes with a surprise," Congress spokesperson Tom Vadakkan told ANI here. Five cases have been registered against Baloch leaders-in-exile in Balochistan's Khuzdar area for allegedly backing Prime Minister Modi's remarks on the atrocities in Pakistan's Balochistan province. The cases were registered against Baloch Republican Party's (BRP) Brahamdagh Bugti, Baloch liberation leader Harbiyar Marri and Baloch Students Organisation chairperson Karima Baloch. The complaints were filed by Munir Ahmed, Maulana Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Hussain, Ghulam Yaseen Jatak and Muhammad Rahim at five police stations in Balochistan's Khuzdar area, reports the Dawn. Acting District Police Officer Khuzdar Muhammad Ashraf Jatak said the petitioners claimed that Bugti, Marri and Karima Baloch had 'supported' Prime Minister Modi's August 15 speech. The Baloch leaders-in-exile were booked under Sections 120, 121, 123 and 353 of the Pakistan Penal Code which refer to "concealing design to commit offence punishable with imprisonment", "waging or attempting to wage war or abetting waging of war against Pakistan", "concealing with intent to facilitate design to wage war", and "assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty". Prime Minister Modi, in his Independence Day address, had thanked the people of Balochistan, Gilgit and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir for the goodwill they have shown towards him. He had in an all-party meeting on Kashmir said the "time has come that Pakistan shall have to answer to the world for the atrocities committed by it against the people in Balochistan and PoK". His statement about atrocities in Balochistan has hit a nerve with Pakistan, which has now voiced that it would raise the Kashmir issue at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA). Last week, Balochistan Chief Minister Sanaullah Zehri slammed the Indian Premier's remarks days after Baloch leader Bugti appreciated 'support' given to the Baloch people. He also accused Bugti of "getting funds from Indians". (ANI)