Rainbow Centre attack: Traders protest, pull down shutters

Vendors demand increased security, say they had been receiving constant threats.

KARACHI:

Traders went on strike on Friday to condemn the grenade attack at Rainbow Centre on Thursday night when a secret agency official was killed and 19 others were injured.

“It would have been better had it been a direct attack,” said a shopkeeper Saleemullah. “We already face a multitude of problems with protests, strikes and violence.”

Rainbow Centre, the largest market for compact disc sales and rentals in the metropolis, is located in the busy commercial area of Saddar. The call for a strike on Friday was given by Saleem Memon, the president of the centre, and was backed by the surrounding markets, fruit and vegetable vendors, as well as the traders of Rainbow Centre itself.

“This attack is a conspiracy against us,” Memon told The Express Tribune. The market will re-open today (Saturday). The traders have, however, given the government a three-day ultimatum to arrest the people behind the attack. A case has been registered under the Anti-Terrorism Act. Security has been beefed up. However, initial investigations have left detectives baffled. “I have no idea about the motive and elements,” said Saddar SP Irshad Ali Sehar. “I cannot comment right now.”

Witnesses have told investigators that the unidentified assailants were on two motorcycles, wore caps, and hurled grenades in the general direction of Rainbow Centre before escaping. It is believed that they meant to harass traders rather than inflict any direct harm as they had aimed at a grocery shop. “If they wanted to attack the centre, they could have easily targeted one of the shops,” said Irshad Ali. He ruled out the possibility of a target killing of the Intelligence Bureau official, saying that it was coincidental.

A Crime Investigation Department official, Mazhar Mashwani, said, “I do not think that any extortionists are involved. It was done to create panic, anarchy and fear.” This sentiment was echoed by Saleem Memon, who confirmed that the traders had not been approached by any extortionists.

The Rainbow Centre association had, however, been receiving threats, explained Memon. “There are 10 watchmen and two security guards working day and night but we need further protection.”

Victims

The surgical ward at Jinnah hospital was kept busy with a majority of the victims from the grenade attack being treated there. Abdullah, 30, who came from Quetta, stood with his unconscious brother, Ahmadullah, who was at the market. “I brought him here at around 3 am from a private hospital because we didn’t have enough money,” said a teary-eyed Abdullah. “If he had died during the night, what would we have told our mother? That we couldn’t do anything to save him?”

Next to Ahmadullah lay Noor Din, a toy seller, who said that one of the grenades fell very close to him. As he ran to escape, the ensuing explosion injured both his legs. “I have been selling toys at the market since 1996,” he said. “I have no enmity with anyone, neither have I ever gotten into an argument or fight. Why was I targeted? What offence have I committed?” He added that his brother, Salahuddin, who was injured in the abdomen was in critical condition, but both of them would go back to work as soon as they were discharged. “We are the only source of income for our entire family.”

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9^th,  2011.