Landhi violence brings back memories of a horrifying past

The Express Tribune investigates what actually went down in Landhi on the day of polls

KARACHI: Much has been speculated about the violence and chaos expected to ensue on the day of the local government elections in Karachi. Realising the seriousness of the situation and importance of maintaining peace, the state left no leaf unturned and posted over 42,000 law enforcers on security duty for the day.

The day itself turned out to be as much a victory for the law enforcers as for the returned candidates. Except a few incidents of sporadic violence, the day passed rather peacefully with a decent voter turnout being witnessed in almost all the districts.

The edgiest area on the day was Landhi, where supporters of arch-rivals Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Mohajir Qaumi Movement - Haqiqi (MQM-H) faced off with each other on a number of occasions throughout the day. Witnesses recall frightening scenes of violence as workers of both parties came face to face and the threat of the old enmity came callously close to being revived. Luckily, however, the law enforcers managed to control the situation in time.



Scenes of horror

Rehan* and Adnan*, two brothers who live in Landhi 3, were watching TV when they heard gunshots. The sound instantly brought back harsh memories of their childhood. One of them whispered on behalf of both of them. "It's started again."

What happened in Landhi on Saturday flooded many of its residents with a feeling of déjà vu; politics of hatred and violence. Dozens of political workers were wounded as MQM and MQM-H workers clashed on polling day.

"I peeked out of my window and saw them [MQM and MQM-H workers] assembling on opposite ends of the street. Most of them carried sticks and stones, while some were armed with weapons," Adnan*, the younger brother, told The Express Tribune.

The workers of both parties would pelt stones at each other, trying to get closer for a more intense attack and raid the opponents' camp. "The scene worsened when someone from the clashing parties fired gunshots. The crowd dispersed, only to regain their positions soon after," he said. "These two parties have a long history of violence."

The situation had begun getting tense in the area in the morning. In the areas where the MQM had maintained its influence, the MQM-H found it difficult to field polling agents and vice versa.

According to MQM parliamentarian Farooq Sattar, 30 of their workers, including a candidate, were 'badly' beaten by the MQM-H. One of them lost his eye, while others suffered multiple fractures, he asserted.

The MQM-H leveled similar allegations against its rival. Its vice-chairperson, Muhammad Ifran, told the media that one of his party workers, Saddam, died, while three others were badly injured in an attack by the MQM. Later in the evening, Saddam was reported as badly injured and being treated in a hospital.



New day, same old story

"They have been doing this [blame game] for ages. Nothing has changed," said Noor Jahan, an elderly woman, sitting outside her house in the area. "Due to this violence, many mothers of this area lost their sons, sisters their brothers, wives their husbands."



The woman is also a victim of the bloodshed. She has lost her son to the violence that she believes is purely political. "They claim to be saviours of Muhajirs [Urdu-speaking community who migrated to Pakistan from India during independence]. In fact, the community suffers because of them," she criticised.

She recalled how in the 90s, areas were divided between the two parties. Residents of A area could not step into B area and vice versa; just because the parties saw each other as traitors.  The political activities in the area were orchestrated from two points, MQM's Landhi sector office and MQM-H's headquarters Baitul Hamza. The two places were thronged by workers all day.

How it started

The cycle of violence started in the morning when MQM workers allegedly tore up a large picture of MQM-H chief Afaq Ahmed installed outside Baitul Hamza. The incident was followed by a clash, resulting in several casualties.

The MQM-H, in retaliation, attacked the MQM's Landhi sector office. "Some MQM workers fled from the street on seeing a Rangers mobile approaching them. Behind the paramilitary vehicle emerged angry MQM-H workers who attacked the sector office," said an eyewitness. He added that there were dozens of MQM-H workers who thrashed motorcycles parked outside the sector office and beat up a young man, believing him to be an MQM worker. "The paramilitary force was seen on the back foot until MQM's Nasreen Jalil arrived at the scene."

*Names have been changed to protect identities

Published in The Express Tribune, December 7^th,  2015.