War lords: Tension in Lyari, as residents protest against operation
Lea Market and its surrounding areas looked like a battlefield after a clash between the police and banned Peoples Amn Committee supporters on Wednesday. Commercial activity was also suspended.
Young men, women and children had gathered at Lea Market Chowk at around 11am to stage a protest which continued till 4pm. They burnt tyres and resorted to aerial firing to express their discontent. A heavy contingent of police and Rangers arrived at the scene to ensure that no one was hurt and control the situation. However, this was not so, the situation turned worse as the mob attacked the law enforcement agents and opened fire at them.
In retaliation, the law enforcement agents fired teargas shells to disperse the crowd. They detained at least eight people, who have been protesting against the ongoing raids and arrests of PAC men in Lyari since Sunday.
The protestors claim that the police was conducting a one-sided operation against the PAC and its supporters. “Why are they raiding our homes? We are innocent,” said Khalil Baloch, a PAC worker. “Do they think we’ll remain quiet? We haven’t slept or been able to go to work for the last two days.” He added that the portraits and banners of their leaders were also removed in the raids. Protests were also carried out in parts of Lyari, including Sheedi Village Road, D D Chaudhry Road and Saifee Lane.
The protestors chanted slogans against MNA Nabeel Gabol, Saleem Hingoro and Rafiq Engineer, and appealed to President Asif Ali Zardari to stop them from interfering in Lyari’s issues.
The police claim that PAC men were trying to make the situation worse, and were using women and children at the protest. They said that the detained men were taken to an undisclosed location for further questioning and would be released if they were found to be not involved.
City Town SP Nasir Aftab said that Lyari gangsters were involved and were turning the people against the police because they, had demolished the gangsters gambling dens. He confirmed that the police had removed PAC’s banners and posters in the area because they were banned. A heavy contingent of law enforcers remained in Baghdadi, Kharadar and Mithadar to maintain the law and order situation. A source in the police said that they had carried out a raid on Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai road on Wednesday morning and had arrested three gangsters. They also seized weapons and drugs from them.
PAC leader Zafar Baloch said that people were angry because life in Lyari had been paralysed because of these raids. He added that the residents were protesting for their rights and in return, they were attacked.
The situation in Lyari has been unstable since Sunday, when unidentified men killed the Katchi Rabta Committee leader Rasheed Kutchi and three other people. The PAC offices and football ground was sealed, whereas parts of Lyari, including Nayabad, Dubai Chowk, Singu Lane, Kamaila Stop, Khadda Market and Al-Falah Road were also closed.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 22nd, 2012.
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Lyari is literally ruled by Amn Committes goons .Majority of Lyariites didnot vote for MQM despite the fact MQM was the only one to do the grassroot development on basic amenities . Lyariites donot need "development " or quality education for thier children waht they need is easy availability of drugs, protections for the Gambling dens where they ease out and liecense to collect Bhatta from all over Karachi's hard eaning citizens ......no wonder the best chice is ......right !! who else .....the PPP .
Lyari really needs development like other areas of Karachi. Why such discrimination we do have for lyarians,
As far as Mafia is concern so we believe that Mafia is every where. even Politics is also a mafia of its own kind.
People do not have any issue who rules, but the value they get is concerned.
@G Yeah why not, i'd support that to. But atleast let them get started
@Hameed: Why not from total karachi???
I totally support this operation. About time the government cleanup Lyari of these criminals.
Lyari people have always supported PPP but this is the well known fact the PPP has never provided Lyari people the basic necessities such as water, road, sewerage lane, schools, parks etc. MQM had tried to provide these basic things but was not supported by Locals residents of Lyari considering as their Rival's act to get vote bank. The residents of Lyari belongs in two groups i.e. Baloch & Khatchi. Now, the game of Divide & Rule is being played by Politicians, using Drug Mafia, Dacoit Mafia, PARCHI Mafia etc. May Allah SWT give some HIDAYA to Lyari People.
Lyari is a very interesting place....rehman dakait, the notorious gang leader was loved by the residence of lyari and they even named a park after him there. Now you have PAC who are loved by many if not all in lyari....and this can be seen by this news article...MQM was the first party ever to do serious development in lyari during musharaf time..but they can never win one seat from there even...I really dont see how any one can ever really solve grievances of these people.. : /