Violent protest erupts over prolonged power outages

Lawyer among protesters injured as police resort to baton charge

KARACHI:

A massive protest broke out in the vicinity of Madras Chowk in Sachal area as residents from various societies took to the streets to voice their anger against ongoing load-shedding. The situation escalated when police resorted to baton charge to disperse the demonstrators.

Among the protesters were lawyers, engineers, professors, and lecturers. A lawyer sustained injuries due to alleged police brutality during the protest. The SSP for District East promptly responded by suspending the SHO of Sachal police station and ordered an inquiry into the matter.

The protesters demanded registration of case against the police as well as the K-Electric officials regarding the incident. K-Electric, however, contended that the supply of electricity in the Safoora Chowk area and its adjacent regions remains uninterrupted. The duration of load-shedding, according to K-Electric, is contingent on the extent of power theft and losses.

As per details, residents of Madras Chowk, alongside other locales, converged in huge numbers to protest against the prolonged load-shedding. Their demand was to halt the 10 to 12-hour load-shedding regimen in the area. The protesters carried banners and placards while a police contingent took action that further enraged the protesters, resulting in a lawyer sustaining injuries due to the baton charge by the police.

While speaking to the media, the protesters criticised the police for resorting to baton charge and firing tear gas against peaceful protestors, deeming it unjustified. They mentioned that their peaceful protest in front of the K-Electric office had no violent intentions.

"We are merely demanding our right to protest peacefully," said one protester. The protesters hailed from six societies termed "star consumers" of K-Electric have a commendable billing clearance of 90 per cent. Despite their responsible bill payments, the residents are still subjected to extensive load-shedding.

Malik Shahzad, a member of the Karachi Bar, condemned the police action. He underscored that the residents of the area diligently pay their bills, with no involvement in power theft. Engagements with K-Electric officials have yielded no resolution to their ongoing problem. Shahzad emphasised that K-Electric should target power thieves instead of punishing the entire area.

In the wake of police violence, lawyers flocked to the Sachal police station to voice their dissent, further demanding that cases be registered against the SHO of Sachal and K-Electric officers.

Upon receiving reports of police violence against the protesters, including lawyers, SSP East Zubair Nazeer Sheikh suspended SHO Sachal Zulfiqar and initiated an inquiry into the incident.

K-Electric's spokesperson clarified that the duration of load-shedding is directly linked to power losses and theft in each area. K-Electric reported outstanding dues exceeding Rs1,100 million from residents of AF Garden, Shalimar Residency, Shah Inayat, White House, Bilawal Shah Noorani, Sher Goth, and other societies.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 13^th, 2023.