Six held after polio team roughed up in slum

Family refusing inoculation attacked vaccinators

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KARACHI:

A family attacked the anti-polio team when they insisted to administer oral polio vaccine to children in Korangi's slum area. However, police and Rangers reached the spot and arrested six people, including four women, for assaulting the team. They were transported to Korangi police station.

SSP Korangi Kamran Khan told The Express Tribune that the anti-polio workers, accompanied by two policemen, were performing their duty when a family refused to administer polio drops to their children. When the team insisted, they were assaulted by the family. A violent confrontation erupted when an anti-polio team was attacked with shovels, policemen were slapped, had their clothes torn, and mobile phones taken away.

On receiving the information, when a heavy police force reached the spot, but the family reacted even more aggressively and started pelting stones at the police. Nevertheless, police took control of the situation and took four women and two young boys into custody and transferred them to the police station.

The people taken into custody are identified as Samina, Meha Jabeen, Amna, Iqra and Gul Imran Momin and Sufyan Shahnawaz. A case is being registered against them in the complaint of the government.

SHO Korangi Malik Amir said that the anti-polio team, Rabia and Saba, Dr Khalid, Police Constable Israr, Jahangir, Tawfiq and Lady Police Constable Aniza Naz, were attacked. Lady Police Constable Aniza Naz is also injured.

Chief Secretary Sindh, Asif Hyder Shah, has taken serious notice of the attack on polio workers in Korangi and directed the Additional IG Karachi to ensure the immediate arrest of all culprits involved. He stated that violence against polio workers will not be tolerated under any circumstances, and strict legal action will be taken against those responsible.

He also instructed the Deputy Commissioner Korangi to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident and take prompt and decisive action against the offenders. Additionally, he emphasised providing immediate medical assistance to the injured polio workers and police personnel.