Nowhere to go: Residents protest against demolition of 40 houses in Karachi

Enraged locals set ablaze vehicle of anti-encroachment dept

KARACHI: Mauripur Road witnessed a scuffle as police and enraged residents came face to face following an anti-encroachment drive Wednesday afternoon.

The people set a vehicle on fire and pelted stones at moving vehicles with stones, which caused severe traffic mess in the area. The tension began when an anti-encroachment operation started in Kohat Mohallah, demolishing 40 illegal houses built on circular railway tracks.

"We have taken action against the encroachers who have built more than 85 houses," Faizan Memon, an official in the encroachment department, said. Instead of leaving the house, the people attacked the anti-encroachment team, he added.



"The government has already served notices to the people of the area to leave this place but all in vain," said Memon.

Meanwhile, the residents were of the view that they had been living in the area for years and would not allow the government to render them homeless. "No one has served notices to us," an elderly woman told The Express Tribune, adding that they would not leave the place until the government provides them an alternative place.

During the riots, a few people sustained minor injuries. However, the situation was brought under control and the road was opened for traffic.