On Friday, October 22, 2024, several government entities, including the Housing Foundation, Natural Resources, and the Municipality, seized hundreds of hectares of land belonging to the Indigenous Baloch in Houtabad village, located on the outskirts of Chabahar. This action followed the demolition of residential homes belonging to Baloch citizens.
Reports indicate that in recent months, these government bodies have used force to destroy the homes of local residents. Now, after leveling the land, they are planning to construct settlements to house non-local individuals. These projects are part of a scheme referred to as the “Makran Coastal Development Plan,” known locally as the “Seizure of Balochistan’s Coastline.”
According to local sources, in recent days, dozens of non-local engineers have been present on the seized lands to map and advance government projects. Government officials are reportedly preventing Indigenous residents from approaching these areas.
As part of the Seventh Development Plan and directives from high-ranking officials, millions of non-local citizens are to be relocated to this region with special incentives. These individuals will be settled in newly constructed towns along the coast of Balochistan, stretching from Minab to Pasabandar.
Previously, reports surfaced of thousands of square meters of land being seized in areas such as Minab, Sirik, and Dashtiari by companies affiliated with the IRGC, including Mahan Company.
In 2023, reports revealed that Iranian security and government entities carried out at least 21 cases of home demolitions and land seizures in five Baloch-majority cities. Of these, eight occurred in Chabahar and seven in Zahedan.
