Yaum-e-shuhada: 14 MQM-London workers jailed

Case registered against over 100 workers

HYDERABAD/ KARACHI: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) - London's botched effort to synchronise the party's yaum-e-shuhada commemoration with MQM-Pakistan in Hyderabad on Friday has landed dozens of its supporters in trouble, as 14 party workers were arrested by the police on Friday night.

Fort police, on the complaint of their SHO Ghulam Mustafa Sikandar, booked 20 MQM-London supporters, in addition to 150 unknown supporters in an FIR. The suspects were charged under sections 6/7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act and 147, 148, 149, 153, 324 and 353 of Pakistan Penal Code. On Saturday the Fort police produced the 14 arrested suspects in the Anti-Terrorism Court, which granted the police their 14-day judicial remand.

Both the factions of the MQM had organised the commemorative event at a graveyard. In a statement issued by MQM-Pakistan, the party's local leaders said muhajir youth should not be instigated to internecine fights for the sake of politics. "Those doing politics in the name of muhajirs [MQM-London] or with some other name shouldn't make muhajir youth the fuel of their politics," said MPA Rashid Khilji. MNA Syed Waseem Hussain said the MQM's ideology will be sustained in the unity of muhajirs. "The people who are trying to disrupt peace in Hyderabad are enemies of muhajirs and ideology of Haq Parasti," he added.

Meanwhile, in Karachi, the police registered on Saturday a case at Azizabad police station against over 100 workers and supporters of MQM-London on behalf of the state for disturbing law and order situation.

"The case was registered against unidentified MQM-London leaders and workers for their violent activities," said Azizabad police station SHO Jamal Leghari. "We also heard about some arrests by Rangers but so far not a single apprehended worker has been handed over to us," he added.

Hundreds of sympathisers of MQM-London had gathered at the Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk monument, formerly known as Mukka Chowk, in Azizabad on Friday afternoon to visit the Yadgar-e-Shuhada in Azizabad. However, they were stopped by law enforcers, both Rangers and police personnel, and only a delegation of female supporters were allowed to visit and offer prayers.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2016.