Protest erupts on Northern Bypass over rising robberies

KARACHI:

Residents staged a protest on the Northern Bypass in the Gulshan-e-Maymar area on Sunday against a surge in robbery incidents, blocking the road for all traffic including heavy transport.

According to details, the protest was held near Indus Chowk on the Northern Bypass by residents of Indus Homes, a day after a citizen was shot dead and another injured when armed robbers opened fire during a robbery in the Gulshan-e-Maymar area on Saturday.

During the demonstration, enraged protesters burned tyres and blocked the Northern Bypass, suspending the movement of all types of vehicles, including freight trucks. The blockade caused long queues of vehicles on the busy route.

The protesters said incidents of street crime and robbery in the area were increasing with each passing day, alleging that police had failed to control the armed criminals. They claimed robbers carried out looting incidents at will and managed to escape easily, creating an atmosphere of fear among residents.

"People are afraid to step out of their homes due to the rising incidents of crime," the protesters said, demanding effective action against the criminals involved.

Senior police officials reached the site and held negotiations with the demonstrators.