CM talks tough amid rioting

Orders ‘strict action against miscreants’ to ‘establish writ of state’

KARACHI:

At least seven people were injured in incidents of violence in Sohrab Goth and Northern Bypass areas including a woman, a four-old-girl, and a 10-year-old boy prompting Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to order 'strict action against miscreants'.

CM Shah has directed the Karachi police to take strict action against elements who closed the Super Highway, National Highways and other roads. Apart from closing the roads, the culprits ransacked private properties and damaged vehicles.

"Arrest the miscreants irrespective of their caste, creed and ethnicity," he said, according to a statement issued on Friday. "We have to establish the writ of the state."

The orders from the chief executive of the province came following violent protests in Sohrab Goth near Super Highway over attacks on a particular community in various cities of Sindh over the murder of a youth in Hyderabad in a brawl at a restaurant.

Earlier this week, a group of friends was having dinner at a local eatery along the Hyderabad bypass when an argument erupted with a waiter. The situation spiraled out of control and a youth, Bilal Kaka, was fatally attacked with barbecue skewers.

CM Shah told the police that roads should not be blocked and severe action must be taken against the rioters. He ordered the Karachi police chief to deploy heavy contingents of his personnel and those of the Rangers to safeguard the people and their properties in the area.

According to the chief minister's spokesperson, Shah directed his cabinet members to initiate dialogue with different stakeholders, including the leaders of Sindhi and Pakhtun nationalist parties, to settle the matter amicably.

Tensions simmer

Tensions remained high on Super Highway in Sohrab Goth for the second day in a row. Minor clashes continued between police and miscreants throughout the day. The agitators pelted stones at police and set fire to a wrecked vehicle.

Police also fired in the air and shelled the mob with teargas to disperse the troublemakers who had gathered. A heavy contingent of police and Rangers remained deployed in the area throughout the day.

Two cases were also registered regarding incidents that took place on Thursday, while dozens of people were rounded up. Tensions remained high in Sohrab Goth, Al-Asif Square, Quetta Town, Ganna Mandi and surrounding areas on the second day on Friday.

There was also a large number of law enforcement and paramilitary officials deployed at Al-Asif Square, Abu Al Hassan Asfahani Road, Quetta Town, Janat Gul Town, Al Asif Chowrangi and surrounding areas.

More than 30 police vehicles, five trucks of Rapid Response Force commandos, a water cannon and a fire brigade vehicle remained stationed at Sohrab Goth. After Friday prayers, police conducted an operation in a settlement located behind the Karachi Bus Terminal.

Meanwhile, residents pelted stones at the police who resorted to aerial firing and teargas shelling to disperse the rioters.

Due to the commotion, Al-Asif Chowrangi was closed for normal traffic on Friday evening. The situation in the area remained tense till late at night, while intermittent firing continued. In addition, two cases of rioting on Thursday were registered at Sohrab Goth and Sachal police stations.

The cases include murder, attempted murder, rioting, theft, burglary and anti-terrorism act provisions. A case of the murder of two persons and causing injury to as many others has been registered.

The FIR further said that during the tumultuous situation, the troublemakers snatched an official 9mm pistol from a policeman and also took 600 rounds of 9mm and 750 rounds of SMGs from a police mobile.

The number of miscreants ranged from 1,500 to 2,000. Police arrested 14 people on the spot while several others have also been named in the case. Similarly, in a case registered at Sachal police station, it has been mentioned that vehicles were set on fire, while government and private cars were damaged. Some people have also been named in the case.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 16^th, 2022.