“Today, the Balochistan movement stands as a symbol of an indigenous people’s enduring aspiration for dignity, rights, and control over their own destiny — a struggle marked by immense sacrifice, resilience, and an unbroken spirit for freedom,” Sarma said in a post on X on Sunday.
Despite initial negotiations for autonomy, the region was “forcibly annexed by Pakistan” in March 1948, sowing deep resentment among the Baloch people, the Assam CM said.
“Over the decades, feelings of political disenfranchisement, economic marginalisation, and cultural suppression have fueled repeated uprisings, most notably in 1958, 1962, 1973, and the early 2000s,” Sarma claimed.
He further said that the Baloch people, despite inhabiting a province rich in natural resources, have long struggled with underdevelopment and allegations of systematic exploitation by the central government.
“The killing of respected tribal leader Nawab Akbar Bugti in 2006 marked a particularly painful chapter, reigniting demands for self-determination and justice,” Sarma said. PTI TR RG BDC