Mahrang launches hunger strike

QUETTA: Detained activist Mahrang Baloch has launched a hunger strike along with other detainees, her sister told AFP on Friday.

Mahrang Baloch, 32, was arrested last month on charges of terrorism, sedition and murder. Mahrang's hunger strike "is aimed at denouncing the misconduct of the police and the failure of the justice system to protect... prisoners," her younger sister, Nadia Baloch, said.

Nadia said the hunger strike was launched on Thursday after the attempted "abduction" of one of the detainees. Mahrang's organisation, the Baloch Yakjehti Committee, alleged the inmate was beaten and taken from the prison to an unknown location. A security official said the detainee was moved to another prison and denied any mistreatment. BYC said four other detained Baloch activists have joined the hunger strike.