A large number of fisherfolk among other labour and women rights activists participated in a protest rally organised on Wednesday by Joint Action Committee – a representative body of around one dozen rights’ groups – to condemn the killing of two Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum (PFF) leaders.
Abdul Ghani and Haji Abu Bakr, from the Kakapir Village, were first kidnapped and later killed allegedly by the local influential on May 6. Their bodies were recovered from the Shamspir Island, spreading panic in the entire fishing community. The protest rally started from the Sindh Assembly building and culminated in front of the Karachi Press Club, with the Joint Action Committee warning that if the government fails to arrest the criminals by May 18, the struggle will continue until the culprits were arrested.
Activists of PFF, Pakistan Institute of Labour, Education and Research (PILER), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), Strengthening Participatory Organisation (SPO), Shirkat Gah and Aurat Foundation among others were present at the rally, led by Mahnaz Rahman, Elahi Bux Baloch, Zulfiqar Shah, Asad Butt, Mir Zulfiqar and Mohammed Ali Shah. The civil society and the rights’ groups of the entire country are on the edge after the brutal murder of fishermen leaders, they said.
Carrying banners and placards, the protesters shouted slogans demanding the arrest of Younusabad group leader, Haji Younus and his son Zulfiqar Younus, the alleged accused involved in the murder of PFF leaders. Addressing the crowd, the fisherfolk leaders labelled the deceased as nature conservationists, who had sacrificed their lives for the great cause of protecting mangrove forests along the coast.
They condemned the irresponsive attitude of the government, as despite the lapse of several days the criminals could not be arrested, which suggests that the government supports these criminals. The police are also reluctant to act against the suspects, they added. Expressing solidarity with the PFF leaders, the leaders said they will not leave the fisherfolk alone in fighting for the protection of natural resources.
“We want to bring the criminals to the court of law, guarantee the protection of mangroves and the safety of local fisherfolk activists,” said SPO’s Elahi Bux. The activist leaders said several poor people have fallen prey to the same landlords over minor issues but the culprits remain safe because they enjoyed backing of successive governments. The protesters were of the view that these influential are criminals and must be punished according to the law so that people may feel secure in their houses.
They added that the lives of the parents and relatives of the deceased are also in danger now as they are facing constant pressure from the landlords to withdraw the cases. The participants of the rally later passed resolutions demanding the immediate arrest of the accused; protection of natural resources including mangroves; and safety for fisherfolk as the Joint Action Committee leaders assured the PFF of its full support for the great cause.