Jokes aside: 100 activists held for defying Section 144

Govt proves just how serious they are about the ban on rallies.


Express October 02, 2011

KARACHI:


Over 100 people were rounded up by the police for violating Section 144 when they gathered at MA Jinnah Road to protest the decision of an anti-terrorism court which sentences the former Punjab Governor’s assassin to death.


About 1,000 people rallied at the Gurumandir Chowrangi at noon on Sunday. The Sunni Tehreek, Jamiat-e-Ulema-e-Pakistan and Anjuman-e-Naujawanan-e-Islam activists meant to march towards the Tibet Centre and stage a demonstration but were stopped by police.

The Sindh government imposed Section 144 that prevents political parties from arranging processions and demonstrations. The section bans the gathering of over five people, with the exception of religious meetings and funerals. It was to be enforced for a 30-day period, as of Wednesday Sept 28, according to a notification from the interior ministry.

As the rally neared Numaish Chowrangi, the situation turned violent. The authorities had clearly come prepared and were waiting all along MA Jinnah Road armed with barricades and water cannons.

The angered protesters vented their frustrations at everyone from media vans to the police themselves. They pelted cars with stones and refused to back down.

The police launched an onslaught of water, batons and tear gas shells and managed to keep them at bay.  However, the police stopped the procession at MA Jinnah Road and arrested about 100 of them. Still not ready to relent, the people settled on the road adamant on waiting out the authorities and remained there for about two hours. Luckily, traffic on the roads was thin, considering that it was a Sunday and there were no major traffic jams caused by the sit-in.

By about 8 pm, however, the protesters dispersed and only 16 activists were left in the Soldier Bazaar police’s custody while the rest were released.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 3rd, 2011.

COMMENTS (6)

SH | 12 years ago | Reply

Well done Police!

Yuri Kondratyuk | 12 years ago | Reply

Looking at the photo, now I realize why Pakistan produces such good fast bowlers :)

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