Sunday, November 6 2005 13:54 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Blaming the Pakistan government and security forces for the 'volatile' situation in Gilgit and Baltistan, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has sought an 'immediate ceasefire' by the Rangers who have been clashing with the local population to curb continuing unrest.

Gilgit and the Northern Areas of Pakistan have been witnessing sporadic violence since January, which started with sectarian undertones but later turned against Islamabad with large-scale arrests and killing of several people in firing by the Pakistan Rangers.

Maintaining that it would keep a "close watch" on the developments, India too has expressed concern over the action by Pakistani forces against people in Gilgit in Pak-occupied Kashmir and asked Islamabad to observe international human rights standards.

Pakistani daily 'Dawn' quoted the Commission as demanding an "immediate ceasefire by the Rangers in Gilgit and investigation by an independent judicial commission into the violence persisting in the city since January which has claimed more than 70 lives so far." "The federal government is directly responsible for this sorry state of affairs," 'Daily Times' quoted Commission Secretary General Iqbal Haider as saying.

He said the law and order situation has been deteriorating "after an avoidable clash between Pakistan Rangers and students on October 13," in which at least 15 people were reportedly killed.