Centre puts speculation to rest, says no plan to shelter Baloch activist

New Delhi: India, on Friday, firmly denied reports which claimed that exiled Baloch activist Brahumdagh Bugti would soon be given Indian citizenship.

Earlier on Friday, Geo News had reported that that India would provide citizenship to Bugti and his trusted aides in Switzerland including Sher Muhammad Bugti and Azizullah Bugti. The official talks between Bugti and Indian authorities began earlier this year, the report added.

But speaking to ANI, Bugti clarified later on Friday that he had made no such formal appeal to the Indian government, but added that he might consider it in future.

He also said that the request would be made formally after discussing the issue within the party on September 19.

"Till now, we haven't sought any asylum officially. On 19th of September, we have a central committee meeting of the BRP where we will finally decide on this and then make the process formal," he said.

He added that India's intervention is important for the cause of Balochistan and that raising the issue in the United Nations will help get the attention of the Western countries.

Baloch activists and leaders have continuously maintained that Pakistan is involved in the genocide of the Baloch people and that human rights violations are rampant in the region there, and have welcomed India’s recent move in highlighting their plight, claiming that it would draw the attention of international community and western media in particular.