Pakistani forces forcibly disappear four more Baloch civilians in Balochistan

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Quetta, Oct 27 (IANS) Another four Baloch civilians were forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani forces in Dera Bugti district of Balochistan amid a growing wave of enforced disappearances in the region, said a leading human rights organisation on Monday.

The latest incident comes against the backdrop of a continuing cycle of persecution marked by a surge in enforced disappearances, extrajudicial killings, and torture across the province.

Citing verified local reports, Paank, the Baloch National Movement’s Human Rights Department, mentioned that Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) on October 25 conducted violent raids in Derahan Colony of Dera Bugti, forcibly abducting two young men: Imam Dad and Jan Mohammad.

In a separate operation in the Sui Bazaar area of the district, two others — Qambar and Malhar were also taken away by the same forces.

“All four victims remain missing, with their whereabouts unknown. Families of the disappeared have expressed deep concern over their safety and fear they may face torture or extrajudicial execution while in custody,” Paank stated.

The rights body reiterated that these acts are part of the systematic campaign of enforced disappearances and collective punishment being waged against the Baloch people by Pakistani security agencies.

It stressed that the misuse of the CTD as a tool for political repression rather than counterterrorism continues to violate fundamental human rights and international humanitarian law.

Last week, highlighting the atrocities in Balochistan, another human rights body, Baloch Voice for Justice (BVJ), stated that five more Baloch civilians were forcibly disappeared by the Pakistani forces in Dera Bugti following an escalating human rights crisis in the region.

Condemning the act, the BVJ stated that the recent raids were carried out by Pakistan’s notorious CTD personnel, alongside Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) officials, in the Sui region of Dera Bugti. The rights body stated that during these operations, homes were looted, families were subjected to torture, and five individuals were forcibly disappeared.

The victims were identified as Akram, Ahsan, Ibrahim, Mandha Bugti and his nephew Noor Din.

“These incidents reflect the growing trend of enforced disappearances in Balochistan, constituting a grave violation of human rights and international human rights standards,” the BVJ stated.

The BVJ urged the global human rights organisations, including the United Nations, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, to take notice of these incidents and exert pressure on Pakistani authorities to ensure the recovery of the missing persons and delivery of justice.

–IANS

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80 per cent rural households in India getting tap water: Jal Shakti Ministry

New Delhi, March 20 (IANS) Nearly 15.53 crore or 80.20 per cent of the country’s rural households are reported to have tap water supply while eight states and three Union Territories have made the facility available to all their households, according to official data.

Minister of Jal Shakti C.R. Patil told Lok Sabha in a reply on Thursday that at the time of announcement of Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) in August 2019, 3.23 crore (16.71 per cent) rural households were reported to have tap water connections.

“So far, as reported by States/UTs as on March 18, 2025, around 12.29 crore additional rural households have been provided with tap water connections under the Mission. Thus, as on March 18, out of 19.36 crore rural households, approximately 15.53 crore (80.20 per cent) are reported to have tap water supply,” he said.

He said eight states — Goa, Telangana, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram, and three UTs — Puducherry, Daman and Diu (D&D) and Dadra and Nagar Haveli (DNH), and Andaman and Nicobar Islands — have become ‘Har Ghar Jal’ States/ UTs as all their households have tap water supply.

Responding to a question on river pollution, particularly in the Ganga and the Yamuna rivers, the Minister said the issue is being tackled primarily by CPCB under Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and National Mission for Clean Ganga and other associated offices of Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) in association with State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) /PCCs has established a National Water Quality Monitoring Network (NWMP) for assessment of water quality of aquatic bodies, including rivers in the country.

At present, the CPCB has Nationwide Water Quality Network comprising 4,736 locations spread in 28 states and 7 Union Territories across the country, which include 2,155 locations on various rivers.

Water quality of the Ganga and the Yamuna is assessed by CPCB at 112 locations (bi-monthly) and 33 locations (monthly), respectively, under National Water Quality Monitoring Programme (NWMP) in association with concerned SPCBs/ PCC, he said.

The Minister said the Ganga is monitored under NWMP, by the CPCB in association with 5 SPCBs, namely, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal, which carry out manual water quality monitoring of the river at 112 locations on bimonthly basis.

Considering the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) concentration exceeding 3 mg/L, the CPCB has identified 351 polluted river stretches (PRS) during the year 2018 (based on water quality data of year 2016 and 2017) whereas 311 polluted river stretches (PRS) were identified in the year 2022 (based on water quality data of year 2109 and 2021).

–IANS

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Ahmedabad turns to ‘Green holi’: AMC’s eco-friendly initiative takes off

Ahmedabad, March 11 (IANS) With the festival of Holi approaching, awareness about environmental conservation is gaining traction among the people of Ahmedabad.

A rising trend of Vedic Holi is being observed in the city, leading to an increased demand for cow dung sticks and dried dung cakes.

In response, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has taken an initiative to support this eco-friendly movement, officials shared.

Municipal cattle shelters are now producing Vedic Holi kits, including cow dung sticks and dung cakes, as an alternative to traditional wood-based Holika Dahan.

Traditionally, people dig holes on roads to set up Holi bonfires, causing damage to the streets, which then require repairs.

To prevent this, the AMC has decided to provide bricks and sand to housing societies through ward and zone offices.

This initiative aims to encourage societies to conduct Holika Dahan on a flat surface using bricks and sand instead of digging up roads, ensuring both cultural traditions and urban infrastructure remain intact.

Unlike wooden logs, which release carbon dioxide and contribute to air pollution, cow dung sticks offer a cleaner and longer-lasting alternative, burning for 3 to 4 hours.

Additionally, these sticks are often infused with medicinal herbs, cow ghee, and camphor, which not only minimise pollution but also have health benefits, including protection from airborne infections.

To support this movement, the AMC is producing Vedic Holi kits at its municipal cattle shelters, making them accessible to the public. With Holi just days away, AMC-run cattle shelters have ramped up production of cow dung-based materials for Holika Dahan.

Every day, around 15,000 dung cakes and 11,000 cow dung sticks are being produced from dried cattle waste.

The cow dung is processed into sticks measuring 2.5 to 3 feet in length, which are then sun-dried for four days before use. Some variations of these sticks include medicinal herbs and puja materials, further reinforcing the health and environmental benefits of this alternative.

Holika Dahan, an essential ritual of Holi, is usually performed at street corners and community spaces.

However, the practice of digging holes on roads to set up bonfires has led to recurring damage, forcing AMC to undertake costly repairs each year.

To prevent road damage, AMC has taken a proactive step by distributing bricks and sand to housing societies.

This will allow communities to set up Holika bonfires without digging, ensuring that the festival is celebrated in an environmentally responsible manner while also protecting public infrastructure.

–IANS

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New York imposes first ever congestion pricing plan in US

New York, Jan 5 (IANS) A congestion pricing plan covering Lower and Midtown Manhattan took effect on Sunday, making New York City the first US city to implement such a plan.

Vehicles will be tolled to enter the congestion relief zone with the amount depending on the type of vehicle, time of day, whether any crossing credits apply, and the method of payment with discounts and exemptions applicable to certain drivers or vehicles, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said.

Passenger and small commercial vehicles, trucks, buses, and motorcycles entering the congestion relief zone will be charged once per day while passengers of taxis and for-hire vehicles will be charged for each trip to, from, within, or through the congestion relief zone.

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Controversy around the congestion plan has led to multiple lawsuits in New York and New Jersey, but opponents failed to block the implementation, Xinhua news agency reported.

The concept gained traction in New York for a brief period in 2007 when then-Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg introduced a congestion-pricing initiative, which ultimately failed to advance in the State Legislature. A decade later, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo revisited the proposal in response to a crisis affecting subway services. The tolling plan was ultimately approved as part of the state budget in 2019.

However, just prior to its scheduled implementation in June, Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, postponed the plan, citing concerns that the tolls could negatively impact the city’s economy. Some critics argued that the proposal, which public opinion polls indicated was largely unpopular, could adversely affect Democratic candidates in the upcoming November elections.

–IANS

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