One dead, several injured as protests turn violent
Workers of a religious party and the Sindh Rawadari March staged protests at multiple locations in Karachi, including Metropole intersection, the Karachi Press Club, and the Teen Talwar roundabout.
Both the protests were linked to the custodial death of blasphemy accused Dr Shahnawaz Kumbhar due to which the government had refused to give permission and imposed Section 144 - the congregation ban.
Subsequently, when protestors refused to disperse, police resorted to baton charges and tear gas shelling. However, some policemen went even tortured and humiliated women protestors besides manhandling media persons. During the unrest, unidentified rioters set a police van on fire and vandalised another by smashing its windows. Gunfire from unknown assailants led to the death of one person, while several others, including police officers, sustained injuries.
The police detained dozens of individuals on charges of rioting. Metropole, situated within the city's Red Zone, turned into a battleground amid the chaotic scenes.
Although Section 144 was in effect, participants of the Sindh Rawadari March gathered at the Teen Talwar intersection, where several protesters were detained by police. Among those arrested at the Karachi Press Club were women, as the authorities cracked down on the marchers.
When members of TLP rally reached Metropole en route to the Karachi Press Club, police blocked their progress, leading to a standoff. The police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the protesters, prompting the rally participants to retaliate by pelting stones. This transformed the sensitive Metropole area into a battleground.
The confrontation between the police and protesters continued for over an hour. The enraged demonstrators smashed the windows of police vehicles and set a police van on fire.
As the situation escalated, a heavy contingent of Rangers arrived and eventually brought the chaos under control. During the hour-long clash, one person died and a police official sustained injuries. Several others were suffered minor injuries though many protesters suffered from the effects of tear gas exposure.
Speaking to the media, city police chief AIG Javed Alam Odho said that different groups had announced protests at Teen Talwar in violations of Section 144.
Heavy police contingents were deployed at several key locations, including Teen Talwar, Fawara Chowk, and surrounding areas, in anticipation of the protest. A contingent of policewomen was also present.
"We had deployed over 2,200 personnel and more than 100 police vehicles in the red zone," he said. "Violators will be arrested, and legal action will be taken."
He further stated that with an upcoming international event, SCO summit, scheduled in Islamabad, police want to prevent any unrest in Karachi. "We have informed the organisers that protests can take place after October 17, but not before."
Despite the restrictions, members of the Sindh Rawadari March, civil society, and religious groups gathered at Teen Talwar. Police arrested over 35 protesters from that location and took them to various police stations.
A portion of the demonstrators managed to reach the Karachi Press Club, where they staged a sit-in and chanted slogans.
Police then intervened at the KPC as well, detaining over 20 more protesters. The protest led to heightened security measures across the metropolis, with a heavy police presence reported on major roads, including Sharae Faisal, MA Jinnah Road, Maripur Road, and at the toll plazas.
As of the latest reports, protests and police actions were ongoing at both Teen Talwar and the KPC.