A large number of shopkeepers from separate markets in Saddar suspended traffic on the main MA Jinnah Road and burnt tyres to protest against the extortionist mafia on Thursday morning.
Shopkeepers from the tyre market, Aurangzeb market, Akbar market and Jama Cloth Market closed their shops and took to the streets, travelling from Jama Cloth market to Merewether Tower. All the shops and markets on MA Jinnah Road were closed as traders joined the protest, shouting slogans against lawlessness, threats and aerial firing used to intimidate them.
They claimed that they were in a perpetual state of fear because the extortion mafia was regularly threatening them. The extortionists send them chits of paper, demanding Rs300,000 to Rs500,000 every other day. When they fail to pay or complain to the police, they are either kidnapped or killed. Two days ago, a trader named Salim Memon was shot dead.
Despite several complaints to the police and other authorities, they have not been provided security. In fact, the traders suspect that the law enforcers are deliberately avoiding taking action; they even went as far as to say that they were in cahoots with the extortionists.
The demonstration lasted an hour and a half and the blockade on MA Jinnah Road caused a traffic jam till Tibet Centre. The police and administration reached the protest site and held talks with the shopkeepers. They assured the traders of security, upon which, they dispersed peacefully.
With additional input from PPI
Published in The Express Tribune, April 1st, 2011.
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