Day two: Mobile phone services remain suspended in Gilgit-Baltistan

Mobile phone services remained suspended on the second consecutive day in Gilgit-Baltistan (G-B) on Thursday. Services were suspended early Wednesday after four people, including two university students, were injured during a clash with the police.

The incident occurred when students of Karakoram International University (KIU) refused to comply with police orders to clear a major road in Konodas area. The students were demonstrating against the university administration for restoring expelled students on court orders.

Earlier in a separate incident, three people were gunned down by unidentified assailants in the town, creating fear in many parts of G-B.

As part of the security plan, the government on Thursday cancelled all arms permits issued previously, and also placed a ban on pillion riding. By afternoon, more than a dozen people were booked for violations. “Since Section 144 has been imposed recently in the town, pillion riding is banned under the law,” said a police official in Gilgit.

“Mobile services will be restored soon,” said Deputy Commissioner Shahbaz Tahir, without specifying a definitive timeframe.

KIU has also announced an early recess nearly 10 days ahead of the official winter holidays to “assist in managing the law and order situation.”

GILGIT: G-B Chief Minister claimed the unrest at KIU was “planned by certain elements to achieve specific goals.”

Published in The Express Tribune, December 20^th, 2013.