Bugti’s murder a mad act

India has to be careful, for Pakistan is itching for an alibi to create trouble with India to douse the embers created by the mad act of killing Baluchistan’s revered leader, 79-year-old Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti.

The elder statesman, who was synonymous with the aspirations of Baluchistan, was murdered along with two grand-sons and associates by Pakistani military in the Marri tribal area.

The Oxford-educated tribal leader was the undisputed leader of Baluchistan for half a century. Baluchi people will not forgive the heinous act of the military.

Musharraf’s Army, which has been doing the bidding of the General and President, might be gloating over the elimination of a cancer in his scheme of things. The grand old man of Baluchistan was bombed in his mountain hideout in Bhambore Hills.

It is fitting to remember that he was for Baluchistan a person like Mujibur Rahman for Bangladesh.

Pakistan’s influential newspaper, Dawn, has reminded the people about the hoary past of the country. “Our troubled political history has shown that whenever force has been employed to solve a political problem, it has recoiled with terrible consequences on Islamabad”.

It was Nawab Akbar Khan Bugti who had invited Mohamed Ali Jinnah to come to Pakistan during partition in 1947. Bugti was in national politics, but later confined himself to Baluchistan, being its grand old entity.

Baluchi nationalism will not let Musharraf go that easy after his exterminating the be-all and end-all of Baluchistan.

India, in its humble wisdom, responded saying the killing was unfortunate. It emphasised the need for dialogue to address the grievances and aspirations of the people of Baluchsitan. India has the responsibility to respond, as the consequences of Pakistan’s misdeeds would ultimately fall on India, one way or other.

The typical Musharraf regime asked India to mind its business, for Baluchistan problem is an internal matter of Pakistan. Musharraf’s modus operandi is to crush dissidence by force.

Bugti has, for some time, been Chief Minister and Governor of Baluchistan Province.
Baluchistan’s assets consist of mineral and gas deposits. The Baluchi grievance has been that Islamabad has been exploiting its resources without paying back by way of development.

The present deliberate bloodshed is a precursor to Musharraf’s intention to postpone the democratic process of election next year. The US has been insisting on Musharraf holding elections. The Americans have not been enamoured of his Army fatigue while he is holding the post of President.

Bugti’s murder has sparked large-scale riots in Baluchistan and other parts of Pakistan. Clearly, Musharraf will resort to gimmicks to deflect world attention on the ruthless killing of the Baluchi leader and his grand-sons.

Commando-like reaction could be expected from Musharraf, who somehow wants to cling on to power as President and General. He would try to inflame Pakistani passion against India.

Let us be wary. Musharraf will not be able to camouflage the rage hovering around the people of Baluchistan. Bugti was not a terrorist, but a mass leader espousing the cause of regional aspirations of the people.

Pakistan is in for trouble. India cannot be complacent, but it should enhance its vigil. Terrorist activities in India, perpetrated from across the border, could spiral to an unprecedented level.