A prominent Baloch leader today said Indian governments in the past disappointed her people, who are fighting for independence from Pakistan, and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for "extending moral support" to their movement.
"We were disappointed with earlier Indian governments but I thank the current Prime Minister Narendra Modi for extending moral support for the freedom fight of Balochistan (in his August 15 speech)," said Naela Quadri Baloch, president of World Baloch Forum, here.
"We are using all forms of struggle, including armed struggle, for independence," she said, in an interaction at the Mumbai Press Club.
Pakistan was using chemical weapons against the Balochs, abducting women and killing children, Quadri alleged.
Atrocities increased after China's entry into Balochistan (for infrastructure projects it is developing in the region), she said.
"We are not Pakistanis, we know it," said Quadri.
"Where was the UN when Pakistan invaded Balochistan," she said.
Pakistan could not claim that insurgency in Balochistan was its internal matter, the Baloch leader added.
Quadri also alleged that Pakistan was nurturing terror with funds obtained (from foreign countries) for the war on terror.
Between seven and ten lakh Balochs live in India, according Quadri. Balochs have been living in India for the last 500 years, she added.
"Balochistan issue is not human rights violations. It's the issue of independence," Quadri said.
In a major shift in India's foreign policy, Modi, in his Independence Day speech this year, had hit back at Pakistan when he talked about human rights violations in Balochistan. It was in apparent retaliation for Pakistan dedicating its Independence Day to the freedom of Jammu and Kashmir.
(Reopens BOM 12)
"Balochistan in 1948 rejected merger proposal by Muhammad Ali Jinnah. Balochistan became part of Pakistan after the then Indian government turned down its support to Balochistan and its demand of remaining independent from Pakistan," Quadri said.
"We don't want India to use Balochistan's demand for independence as a card to be played in the international politics to counter Pakistan's claim over Kashmir," she said.
"Kashmir is India's internal matter and our fight is for our independence. Supporting us in our independence (struggle) is certainly an issue of India's interest," she said.
Maintaining that Chinese influence was growing in Pakistan, she said, "China is developing Gwadar port for its business purposes. India's plan for development of Chabahar port (in neighbouring Iran) is certainly useful. It will also be useful for us in our struggle."
On Baloch people's expectations from Indian government, she said, "The population of Baloch people is in a few crores but only three per cent turn out to vote.
"If the Indian government can start issuing separate documents and passports for us through its various consulates, it would be very useful. The Indian government should start treating us as Baloch people and not as part of Pakistan government. Baloch people trust Indian government," she said.
On the Chinese army's presence in Balochistan, Quadri said, "There has been an indirect presence of the Chinese military in Balochistan. Pakistan military officials generally carry out their oppression against Baloch people but they are trained by Chinese military officials."
She alleged Pakistan's hand in the recent terror attack in Quetta, Balochistan's capital, in which 59 Pakistan Police academy trainees were killed.
"All the trainees were called back to their station a couple of days before the attack. As they returned from their homes, the attack took place. It is a kind of genocide from the Pakistan government against Baloch people so that they can take our land and other resources like gold," she said.
