In a heart-wrenching turn of events, a sixty-year-old man participating in the sit-in at Etihad Chowk in Gilgit, Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (POGB), has lost his life while protesting for the wheat subsidy and other demands. Hailing from the Yasin district, the elderly man joined the Etihad Chowk sit-in four days ago, braving the bone-chilling winter conditions.
The unfortunate incident occurred when the protester, dedicated to the cause, succumbed to a cardiac arrest, shedding light on the arduous circumstances faced by those advocating for their rights in the region.
The incident adds poignancy to the arguments put forth by the people of POGB, asserting that they are under the rule of a colonial regime. Amidst freezing temperatures, hundreds of thousands of people across POGB continue their protests, demanding their basic rights. However, the occupying government seems to downplay the gravity of the situation, anticipating that the protests will naturally dissipate.
The sacrifice of individual protestors, like the elderly man, not only deepens the sorrow within the community but also fuels anger and determination among the protestors. Such sacrifices serve to intensify the resolve of the people, making them more resolute and aggressive in their pursuit of justice and rights, vowing to persist until their aspirations are fulfilled.
As the news of the elderly protester’s demise reverberates through the region, it becomes a poignant symbol of the ongoing struggle for basic rights in Pakistan occupied Gilgit-Baltistan, marking a solemn moment in the fight against perceived injustice and neglect by the occupying authorities.