Killings and violence: Report on violence in first half of 2014 paints a bleak picture
The total death toll of people with no political affiliations was 403.
KARACHI:
The ongoing targeted operation appears to play no role in curbing the amount of crime in the city. As many as 1,557 people have been killed or found dead in different incidents of violence, according to a six-month report released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
The report based on killings in Karachi from January to June this year also indicates a sharp rise in deaths in encounters. Around 258 people were killed when fired upon by law enforcement agencies in the last six months. In contrast, 184 people were killed in encounters last year.
Out of those killed in encounters this year, 191 were killed in police encounters, 65 by the paramilitary, and two died as a result of police torture. Another two persons died in prisons. Moreover, 75 police men were killed during the first half of this year.
The death toll of people with no political affiliations was 403, while political activists who were targeted was 79 , said the report.
Speaking of terrorism, 22 people were killed in bomb blasts while a total of 37 activists of banned outfits were found dead in the metropolis. Moreover, 201 bodies were discovered from different parts of the city.
The report suggests that 44 people were killed by robbers while 67 were murdered on account of enmity. Thirty-six of those who were abducted were found dead. Furthermore, seven people were burnt to death. Stray bullets claimed 21 lives, and 16 became victims of drug overdose or the consumption of poisonous liquor.
The highest number of killings took place in March with 281 deaths. Talking of demographics, around 55 children became victims of violence, including 13 who were killed in bomb blasts and 13 by stray bullets.
Five children were raped and murdered. As many as 96 women died in different incidents of violence, out of which 33 were killed by relatives and 37 by unidentified persons.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2014.
The ongoing targeted operation appears to play no role in curbing the amount of crime in the city. As many as 1,557 people have been killed or found dead in different incidents of violence, according to a six-month report released by the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP).
The report based on killings in Karachi from January to June this year also indicates a sharp rise in deaths in encounters. Around 258 people were killed when fired upon by law enforcement agencies in the last six months. In contrast, 184 people were killed in encounters last year.
Out of those killed in encounters this year, 191 were killed in police encounters, 65 by the paramilitary, and two died as a result of police torture. Another two persons died in prisons. Moreover, 75 police men were killed during the first half of this year.
The death toll of people with no political affiliations was 403, while political activists who were targeted was 79 , said the report.
Speaking of terrorism, 22 people were killed in bomb blasts while a total of 37 activists of banned outfits were found dead in the metropolis. Moreover, 201 bodies were discovered from different parts of the city.
The report suggests that 44 people were killed by robbers while 67 were murdered on account of enmity. Thirty-six of those who were abducted were found dead. Furthermore, seven people were burnt to death. Stray bullets claimed 21 lives, and 16 became victims of drug overdose or the consumption of poisonous liquor.
The highest number of killings took place in March with 281 deaths. Talking of demographics, around 55 children became victims of violence, including 13 who were killed in bomb blasts and 13 by stray bullets.
Five children were raped and murdered. As many as 96 women died in different incidents of violence, out of which 33 were killed by relatives and 37 by unidentified persons.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 5th, 2014.