No where to go: Residents protest at KPC hoping to find answers

People who saw the bloodshed in Jhat Pat market recall tales of horror.

KARACHI: As Chakiwara reverberated with loud sounds of grenade attacks and gunfire on Wednesday morning, Kashif Ali - who had just woken up and was on his way to the bathroom - rushed to the Jhat Pat Market instead. He saw that the otherwise busy marketplace was strewn with human flesh.

"I picked up the body of a girl whose brain was lying on the street," he said, flashing his blood-stained clothes.

Agitated and angered residents, who witnessed the violence in Lyari, came down to Karachi Press Club on Wednesday afternoon to protest the bloodshed.

Holding banners, which appeared to be written in a hurry, to condemn the violence, they showed pictures on their mobile phones of dead bodies - one of a girl whose head was severed from her body. Demonstrators from different ethnic backgrounds claimed that the Rangers and police personnel present in the area did not stop the gangsters from hurling grenades, some of which were also thrown from nearby buildings.

"When we asked the law enforcers why they are not taking any action, they said they have no orders from the high-ups. What are they doing in the area if they can't control criminals?" asked Shoaib.

They angry residents demanded peace in the area, claiming that they were not associated with either Uzair Baloch or Baba Ladla gangs, the two notorious groups allegedly behind the conflict in the area.

Lambasting politicians, they claimed that the politicians had been offering support to these gangs. "Instead of being in Lyari, the PPP leaders are living in Clifton, Dubai and other places," said Akbar Ali, who had gathered all the protesters.

Another protester broke down in tears as he complained that the chief minister fails to pay attention to Lyari even though it is considered a stronghold of the PPP. "Many people are dying. Women and children are being killed. They [political parties] should all unite and work together to end the suffering of the people in Lyari."

Though the area has been volatile for the past six months, tensions intensified on Wednesday morning, they claimed.

Shopkeeper Shah Jahan recalls sitting at his shop when the blasts took place. "I pulled down the shutter and went to the other side. There was chaos." Everything is sold at the market, he said, from bangles to vegetables and clothes, explaining how popular the market is.

After shouting 'sab siyasi leader murdabad', Shoaib said that Rangers officials have not arrested a single gangster in the targeted operation. "Residents of Gul Mohammad Lane have moved to Mawach Goth. Many more are planning to leave." Five of his relatives were killed in a rocket attack a few months ago. "It is our fault we voted for the PPP in the last elections."

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2014.