Orangi Town clash: ATC remands seven suspects in judicial custody

Suspects accused of allegedly being involved in recent protests

KARACHI: The anti-terrorism courts' administrative judge remanded on Tuesday seven people to jail and sought charge sheet against them for allegedly being involved in the recent violent protests in Orangi Town.

The police presented Muhammad Junaid, Nazimuddin, Fayyaz, Muhammad Shafiq, Imran Ali, Muhammad Anis and Waheed Hussain before the judge and contended that they were allegedly involved in the riots. According to the prosecution, at least six policemen were wounded when protesters opened fire at them.

The police report did not read that some protesters were also injured in the exchange of fire and one of them, Asghar Imam, succumbed to his wounds on Monday. The incident took place at Islam Chowk in Orangi Town on February 19, when area residents gathered and protested against the police for failing to control the rising cases of street crimes and robberies.

The police mentioned that a total of nine people were taken into custody during the crackdown. However, two of them, Zohaib and Syed Zuhair, were later released, after they were found not involved in the riots. The judge sent the arrested suspects to jail in judicial custody and fixed next hearing of the case on March 6. The judge also asked investigation officer to submit charge sheet by next hearing.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2017.