KARACHI: Concerned parents took to the streets again on Wednesday in a fresh attempt to have the Darakshan police station lockups shifted away from their children’s schools.
Though there were barely 50 of them gathered in front of the police station, they made sure they were loud enough to force the SHO out of his office to take notice. The peaceful protest was a prelude to today’s hearing of the residents’ and parents’ petition filed in the Sindh High Court that also calls for the relocation of high-risk targets such as CID official Chaudhry Aslam’s house.
“Do you want our children exposed to danger?” demanded Nageen Sheikh’s placard. According to her, the police station traumatises the neighbourhood children. “Our children see criminals being dragged to the station with their heads covered,” she explained. “They hear the beatings and their screams. Obviously, they are disturbed and we want a secure environment for them.”
The residents’ reactions were triggered by a suicide attack on Aslam’s house in September that left a Washington International School student, Moeed, and his mother, a teacher at the same school, dead.
Junaid Hamid was dropping his children to school just a lane away from the blast site. He felt that children here have unfortunately become resilient to violence after frequent attacks.
An estimated 5,000 students are said to be studying in the eight schools located in the area. SHO Mohsin Mashadi felt that protesting at the police station will not help the parents make a difference. They should consult the DIG and IG Sindh.
“I understand why the parents are emotional,” he said, “but the police station provides them with 100 per cent security.”
While the parents call for the lockups to be removed, the officer said it was impossible for the police station to function without them. “Criminals have to stay in the lockup for 24 hours before they can be produced before the court,” he explained. “When we have hardened criminals, we increase security.”
Some parents, like Dania, said that they would be going to court to support the hearing today. The solitary student, Shanzay Hasan of the CAS school, recalls how the windows of her school had shattered in the blast and said that the students are still very scared.
No compensation for damaged homes:
Amongst the protestors was Shahzad Dadabhoy, one of Aslam’s neighbours. His house was badly damaged in the blast.
Dadabhoy claimed that, while the chief minister had announced compensation for him the very next day, he has yet to receive the money. Dadabhoy’s driver and his son were also killed in the blast and their families have not been compensated either.
“I am rebuilding my house on my own now. I have received no money,” said Dadabhoy who was also injured after stepping on broken glass. He is currently staying with his in-laws. While he was representing the residents, he was disappointed with his neighbour’s response. While the schools are participating actively, residents are not serious about taking precautions or raising their voices, he complained.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2011.
COMMENTS (11)
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Friends … Nobody can buy peace & harmony It’s only the logical and practical arrangements which can help in bringing the peace and safety in your surroundings and environment
We have to think positively, and to ensure that all our youth should get a protected and safe environment around their lives, houses, schools, and grounds
Don’t you want to see a magical and sweet smile on the faces of the CHILDREN
Or you want to see sacred faces and minds full of doubts as what will happen next
The reason we all took this step to raise our voice against the present location of “Thanna” (Police station) which is surrounded by 8 schools with more than 5,000 children, around 1,200 staff members serving them, and almost the same number of parents come to drop and pick their kids from the premises
Now think, is this seems logical to have a Thanna in between the schools premises, where they bring high target criminals, like terrorists, murderers, dacoits, murdered bodies of the people, accidental and blown up cars/vehicles, and on many occasions, people/groups/Unions come and demonstrate in front of Thanna, showing and carry automatic weapons, chanting slogans on the loudspeakers during the school timing and abusing the authorities infront of the children.
Logically this Thanna should be re-located at a place which should be more convenient for all even for the police thanna staff and it should be placed near sea view village restaurant which has an ample space with open grounds and is not crowded with innocent children.
I hope this explanation is enough for all our friends from Karachi to understand and help us in improving the environment
Believe me it’s the first step towards safety, and the residents of DHA will be standing with you any where in Karachi on your first call for any such event and better cause to save our children .
Cheers for the day :)
I live in Clifton and I can have Mr. Aslam or any other Targeted High Profile VIP living next to me. I can tolerate a Thana in my lane as well, what I don't want is a Bulls Eye placed smack in the middle of 5000 children and then sit and wait for somebody to bomb it. If your children are at risk in this manner, come out of your little comfort zones and demand safety and security as it was meant to be provided to you.
@ saudiRulz n JaHaaz its not abt being residents of DHA or elsewhere... would YOU like to have Chaudary Aslam living next to u?
@Jahaaz: Why can't we even try to make our environment safe and secure for our children? Just because situation is bad all over the country we should also sit at home and do nothing!! Just because it is done in defense it automatically becomes different and classy? What sort of nonsense is that? Everyone has a right to fight for the safety of the environment they are living in whether it's Mehmood or Ayaz! Go ahead try to do the same for yourself instead of criticizing others!
Why can't we even try to make our environment safe and secure? What's wrong with that? Skepticism will get us nowhere my dear! Everyone has a right whether Mehmood or Ayaz to take measures for their safety! Just because it is being done in defense doesn't make it different or classy! What sort of nonsensical argument is this?
The residents of Defense want the Thaana in a place where it is easier for them also to rush out in case of emergencies. In a vicinity where there are 8 schools it is virtually impossible for the police to do that during school hours when traffic on the road is jam packed . Let's be reasonable and think from every angle. It is not only in the interest of the schools but also Thaana to be relocated elsewhere in Defense! There is ample space next to Village Resturant, why not move there?
Go, buy yourself a safe and secure environment !! This is an average picture of the story throughout the country, why do these people try to be different and classy? Don't they know terror doesn't discriminate b/w mehmood and ayaz!!
i cant believe people in our country are so naive and so rude.....have you ever even visited the area......there are over 5000 students and over 3000 cars around the thaana..... it is humanly impossible for the police to secure them selves in such a congested area.... if they cant protect them selves how will they protect the citizens..... and as for shifting them... for your information the thaana was never here it was on the main sea view road.... this is an amenity plot.... please do your home work before u thrash people..... they cant even move out of this area when the roads are full of traffic their mobile have hit cars because they drive fast which they have to when its an emergency, which is why they need to be at a more practical location... they can put barriers and protect them selves better if they are in open spaces.... hopefully the next time you people want to put up rude comments you will get your information first, think what actually is being demanded and then comment.
What was built first? the police station or the schools?
Selfish Morons
The terrorists won here, they have isolated the Police from the residents. I donot think we will ever win against terrorists when we have such cowards among us.
Aslam must be thinking why he caught all those terrorists and for what kind of people.
Where do these people from defense want police station to be moved? To the poor localities? On outskirt of karachi, in an empty field?