Police take #Fixit supporters to task for attempting to enter red zone

Alamgir Khan was protesting against poor state of education in the province

KARACHI: Over half-a-dozen workers of social organisation #Fixit were arrested on Sunday by the police when the organisation's founder and social activist Alamgir Khan, along with other supporters, attempted to head towards Governor House to protest the poor state of education in the province.

"We had organised a protest against the poor of quality education and we also invited the governor. We attempted to head towards Governor House when he didn't come to join us. The police then attacked us with gas shells, water cannon and batons," Khan said while talking to The Express Tribune. "Seven of our activists were arrested."

A large number activists and supporters of #Fixit led by Khan staged a demonstration over the dismal state of education in the province outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC) on Sunday. However, when the protesters attempted to march towards the Governor's House, the situation turned violent and the area remained a battle ground for at least an hour.

A contingent of police surrounded the Karachi Press Club while roads leading towards the red zone were blocked by erecting barricades to stop the protesters from entering the red zone.



The police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters and charged them with batons after which the protesters turned violent and reportedly started pelting stones at the police.

The police caught at least seven protesters and shifted them reportedly to the Kalakot police station for attempting to enter the red zone as the protesters had insisted on speaking to Governor Mohammad Zubair.

A case was also registered against Khan and others at the Artillery Maidan police station for charges including violation of the red zone and pelting stones at the police.

Police blamed the #Fixit workers for creating disorder. Saddar Division SP Tauqeer Muhammad Naeem said the #Fixit workers took the law into their own hands. Everyone is allowed to hold a protest outside the KPC but no one is allowed to do so in the red zone, SP Naeem clarified.

"We didn't stop them from holding a protest at the KPC but suddenly they started marching towards the red zone. They attacked our jawans when our cops tried to stop them. They [protesters] pelted stones at the police, compelling us to use force against them," the SP claimed. He added that seven protesters were arrested while a case against Khan and others was registered for entering red zone and attacking the police.