500 picnickers taken into custody for violation of Section 144 in Karachi

We released them after a warning as we didn't want to ruin their Eid, says SSP Saqib Ismail Memon

KARACHI: Over 500 picnickers were taken into custody for violating Section 144 at different beaches in the metropolis during the three days of Eidul Fitr. They were later released with a warning from the police and no cases were registered.

The authorities had imposed Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure at beaches and coastal areas to ban swimming in the sea during Eid. Banners were also hung at prominent places near Seaview Beach, warning people to stay away from the water. These measures were taken as the sea has been quite rough due to the monsoon season.

Dozens of people drowned at Seaview Beach a few years ago on Eidul Fitr. The ban was imposed keeping this in view and the citizens were warned of strict action for violating the ban.



"We caught around 150 people violating Section 144 at Seaview on a daily basis," District South police chief SSP Saqib Ismail Memon told The Express Tribune.

"Our aim is to protect the lives of the citizens, particularly those who reached the beach for bathing and swimming," he clarified.
SSP Memon said that the police caught hundreds of picnickers but did not register cases against them. "We just caught them and released them after giving them a warning as we did not want to ruin their Eid," the officer explained, adding that barricades had also been put up to stop people from going into the water.

Strict security measures were also taken by the police by deploying a heavy contingent of personnel at the Seaview. "As many as 400 police personnel were deployed at Seaview to stop citizens from bathing and swimming," Memon shared.



"By the grace of Allah, we managed to save each and every life and there were no casualties reported during the three days of Eid," he said.

Similarly, thousands of picnickers also reached different beaches at Hawke's Bay, Sandspit and Paradise Point to celebrate Eid. Police took dozens of them into custody and most were released after a warning. A heavy contingent of law enforcers were also deployed in these areas to stop people from bathing and swimming in the sea.

A number of drowning incidents occur every year on Eidul Fitr because of bathing and swimming in the different beaches of Karachi, but not a single drowning incident occurred in the metropolis this Eid.

Eid celebrations 

'Manchalo ne Sahil-e -Samandar ka rukh karlia [youth head towards the beach]', this particular phrase occasionally echoes in our ears while watching news channels on Eid or when it rains.



However, on Wednesday, news anchors repeated the typical phrase with some additions. "Shehar mein taiz baarish, Eid ka maza dobala, manchalo ne Sahil-e-Samandar ka rukh karlia, dhol ki thaap par raqs [Heavy rain in the city, Eid fun doubles, youth head towards the beach dancing to the beat of the drum]".

The first day of Eid for Karachiites was a warm day and most citizens preferred to stay at home till evening. However, some citizens headed out to the Clifton Beach, a popular spot in times of celebration, on the third day of Eid.

A large number of families in mini buses and open pickup vehicles reached the beach with pots of food to enjoy rain and the last Eid holiday with their families.

"Eid is that occasion of the year when all the family members can plan to go on a picnic as everyone one has a holiday," said Aasia Rehman. The last two days of Eid were really warm so the urge to visit the beach was at its peak, she said.



A group of young boys were busy in a traditional Khattak dance, clapping and raising their hands to the beat of a drum. One of them, Danish Afridi, shared that since there was a ban on swimming in the sea, they had found alternative means of having fun at the beach.

We did not go into the water, we just dipped our feet for the satisfaction of coming to the beach, Afridi said.

With the kiosk and restaurants on the beach full of customers, horse and camel owners were more than satisfied with the bulk of customers while the corn seller ran out of stock.

The strip of the beach stretched from Dolmen Mall to Thandi Sarak at Farhan Shaheed Park and was full of people. However, with strict vigilance by police and the Cantonement Board Clifton lifeguards, people were barred from swimming.

A sub-inspector, Altaf, of the Sahil police said that though they picked up several youngsters who were swimming in the sea, people should be aware of how rough and dangerous the sea is currently.

If they drown, people will blame us, but all the visitors here have enough sense to choose between good and bad, Altaf said, adding that people should enjoy their time at the beach without taking any risks.