Iranian Regime Killed Poor Toilers in Balochistan

On Monday, Feb, 22, the criminal forces of the "police" and the Revolutionary Guards at the border point between Iran and Pakistan attacked the hard-working and helpless fuel carriers who are working day and night to get a piece of bread for themselves and their families and shot them deadly. Turning that area into a painful hotbed of smoke, fire and blood killed at least 15 fuel carriers, according to Baloch media activists, and injured several others. A local witness put the death toll at 37.

Due to its military and governmental power, the IRGC has taken over most of Iran's economy and benefits without any commitment or payment of taxes, etc. From large contractors to very profitable intermediaries. The IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence lead large economic projects even in trade outside Iran, including the Persian Gulf countries and even in Venezuela. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Guards and the Ministry of Intelligence are engaged in many illegal and smuggling activities while conducting well-known and public trade. Suffice it to say that Ahmadinejad called them smuggler brothers during his presidency, referring to the IRGC and the Ministry of Intelligence. The IRGCs are present in the economy in two ways: one with the names of IRGC-owned companies and two IRGCs that have formed their own private companies but use IRGC facilities for their own benefit, which are the most common cases of drug trafficking to human trafficking. They do.

Sistan and Balochistan is one of the most deprived provinces of Iran. Its youth are engaged in fuel carrying due to high unemployment and lack of income and suitable jobs, and are shot by the military and security forces of the Islamic Republic.

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Fuel carriers live mainly in border towns and villages; They live in the most deprived parts of Iran and fuel is their only means of subsistence. Diesel gas is the first and last choice of most men in Balochistan. AlimYarmohammadi, Zahedan's representative in the 10th parliament, said: "Most of the people who smuggle fuel are ordinary people from the same area; People who are looking for a livelihood and basic needs and do it for a small amount of money”

Carrying fuel in Sistan and Balochistan and Kulberi in Kurdistan, although considered "smuggling" by the government, are in fact the only means of livelihood for the people who, despite their abundant wealth, are caught in the most difficult kind of poverty. The drying up of the Hamoun International Wetland and the cutting off of the Helmand River in a land where fishing, agriculture and handicrafts were traditional occupations, have made trade with Pakistani and Afghan neighbors the only source of income. Under these circumstances, carrying fuel is the most important trade of the people of Sistan and Balochistan with Iran's eastern neighbors. A business that is "death trading”

Baloch media activists say that in dealing with the security forces, the fuel operators are divided into two groups: those who own several cars and motorcycles and have hired people to do so agree with the military. They coordinate with brokers, for example, the passage of 100 specific cars per month and pay a monthly fee to ensure their safety, which is of course very high. These people are guaranteed and the security forces do not shoot at their cars and fuel. But these are few. Most fuel carriers do not go under such an agreement due to poor living conditions and financial inability. For this reason, when they load and honor the border from inside Iran, the observer or the IRGC stops them, but they do not pay attention; because if they stop, both their car and the fuel are gone. To release the car, they have to pay a large fine for each liter of fuel. In this situation, the agents shoot at them.

The fuel carriers of Sistan and Balochistan go to the border from different routes. These routes have one thing in common; Most of them are difficult to cross and extremely dangerous. For example, for fuel to Pakistan, Chabahar border, Sarbaz and Saravan are destinations. The border of Chabahar is by sea and it is refueled by boat. But the border between Saravan and Sarbaz is dirt, very difficult to cross and has deep valleys; Where it is said to be "Carrying fuel is the daily deal with Azrael."

Fuel carriers lost their life for a piece of bread. The property of some of them has also been confiscated by the military and law enforcement forces.

Fuel carriers say that if they had a job, even with a very low income, they would never carried fuel. The income of this work is not worth the risk.

Under the IRGC's new plan, fuel stations will be set up at border crossings and fuel sales to Pakistan will be formalized. In the IRGC plan, only border residents living 20 kilometers from the border can be active in the Razzaq plan. Many carriers are mostly poor people on the outskirts of small towns more than 20 kilometers from the border.

Baloch activists believe that the Razzaq plan formally gives the IRGC the right to sell fuel. This military force will use its benefits as its own revenue.