Trouble’s brewing: Kutchis to take Lyari SP to SC

It has also left the 10-member committee formed to restore peace.

KARACHI:

The Kutchi Rabita Committee (KRC) has said it will take Lyari SP Sardar Najam Tareen to the apex court over the killing of one of its senior members.

The slain leader, Ibrahim Kutchi, was gunned down on Thursday during a protest the Kutchi community members in Lyari had organised on Mauripur Road to voice anger at the fact that gangs had openly threatened them and demanded they flee from the area. The Kutchi community was livid at Ibrahim’s killing and immediately pointed fingers at the police, claiming that law enforcers had opened fire on the protesters.

While talking to The Express Tribune, a leader from the committee, Hussain Kutchi, claimed that it was SP Tareen who had ordered law enforcers to open fire at the protesters, leading to Ibrahim’s death and injuring at least nine others.

“We had approached police officials to register a case against their chief [SP Tareen] but they refused to do so.” He added that the committee will now file a petition on Monday in the apex court, asking it to direct police officials to put SP Tareen’s name in the FIR.

SP Tareen refuted claims that he had ordered the police to fire bullets. “Law enforcers only used teargas shells. Ibrahim was killed when his own companions opened fire.”

Ironing out a solution

KRC leaders have also shunned the peace committee constituted by the chief secretary and IGP under the supervision of deputy commissioner South Mustafa Jamal Qazi. The 10-member committee comprises three members each of KRC and outlawed Peoples Amn Committee (PAC) as well as policemen and Rangers.

Hussain Kutchi said, “Three years ago a similar committee, headed by Qazi, was constituted but nothing happened. So how can we trust the deputy commissioner now? He and SP Tareen should be replaced. We also don’t want PAC spokespersons.”

The deputy commissioner vowed to be more proactive about restoring peace in Lyari. “It’s a political issue and we are trying to resolve it through negotiations,” he said. “But we can also take action against them. The Rangers have said they won’t tolerate a disruption in law and order.” He explained that the committee has been asked to identify troublemakers and the routes they use to travel within the conflict-ridden area.

Living in a hail of bullets

The wave of violence has once again made the lives of Lyari’s residents, especially in Kutchi-dominated areas including Hingorabad, Haji Bacchal Hussian Road, Ghausia Road and alFalah Road, miserable.

They have been living without electricity, water and adequate food supply. About 11 PMTs were damaged because of indiscriminate fire and grenade attacks. Shutters of shops in troubled spots have gone down.

“There has not been a drop of water to drink for the past few days. Even we don’t know how we are still alive,” said a resident of Hingorabad. “We’re confined to our homes because we know if we go out to get food and water, we’ll be killed.”

Mudslinging and denials

Pakistan Peoples Party’s MPA for Lyari Javed Naghori denied his party was involved in the violence. “This is not a war between the Kutchi and Baloch communities. The two were brothers and will remain that way forever. A [rival party] is behind the killings of all ethnicities.” Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s Wasay Jalil also denied his party was involved.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2013.