Unrest In Sindh: Police absent as armed men take to streets
Law enforcers appeared helpless to control or explain the situation, as to who could be involved behind the bedlam.
HYDERABAD/KARACHI:
Unrest erupted in Karachi on Friday night when unidentified armed men, riding on motorbikes, resorted to aerial firing, forcing shopkeepers and traders to shut down their businesses abruptly.
At around 9:30pm, the sudden wave of firing caused panic and fear among the city’s populace, with a flurry of people rushing home to safety. Anxious commuters caused massive traffic jams in different parts of Karachi, including the main artery of the city, Shara-e-Faisal. Petrol pumps and CNG stations were also closed down.
Law enforcers appeared helpless to control or explain the situation, as to who could be involved behind the bedlam. Karachi police chief, Iqbal Mehmood’s phone was switched off, leaving him unavailable for comment. However, the police head of the most affected District Central, DIG Javed Odho, told The Express Tribune, “No firing incident occurred in my district at least”. He added, “Unidentified men contacted shop owners by cell phones and threatened them to close down their shops.” DIG Odho assured that the police would take stern action if they identified anyone involved in the ruckus.
Besides District Central, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulberg, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Korangi, Pak Colony, Gulbahar, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Burns Road, Saddar, North Karachi, Federal B area and old city areas including Ranchore Lane, Kharadar, Mithadar, Ramswami, Defence Khadda market, and others were also affected.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Hyderabad and adjoining areas. Unidentified gunmen fired aerial shots, forcing shops to shut down in several parts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar districts.
Although the tense situation continued for over an hour, the police was marked by its absence. No gunman was arrested till the filing of this report.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2012.
Unrest erupted in Karachi on Friday night when unidentified armed men, riding on motorbikes, resorted to aerial firing, forcing shopkeepers and traders to shut down their businesses abruptly.
At around 9:30pm, the sudden wave of firing caused panic and fear among the city’s populace, with a flurry of people rushing home to safety. Anxious commuters caused massive traffic jams in different parts of Karachi, including the main artery of the city, Shara-e-Faisal. Petrol pumps and CNG stations were also closed down.
Law enforcers appeared helpless to control or explain the situation, as to who could be involved behind the bedlam. Karachi police chief, Iqbal Mehmood’s phone was switched off, leaving him unavailable for comment. However, the police head of the most affected District Central, DIG Javed Odho, told The Express Tribune, “No firing incident occurred in my district at least”. He added, “Unidentified men contacted shop owners by cell phones and threatened them to close down their shops.” DIG Odho assured that the police would take stern action if they identified anyone involved in the ruckus.
Besides District Central, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulberg, Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Korangi, Pak Colony, Gulbahar, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Burns Road, Saddar, North Karachi, Federal B area and old city areas including Ranchore Lane, Kharadar, Mithadar, Ramswami, Defence Khadda market, and others were also affected.
Similar scenes were witnessed in Hyderabad and adjoining areas. Unidentified gunmen fired aerial shots, forcing shops to shut down in several parts of Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar districts.
Although the tense situation continued for over an hour, the police was marked by its absence. No gunman was arrested till the filing of this report.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 15th, 2012.