New Year’s eve: Stray bullets injure a dozen in Karachi, roads blocked in Lahore

Aerial firing incidents were reported from almost all parts of the metropolis

LAHORE/ KARACHI: Though the security apparatus did manage to keep Sea View clean of revelers, amid tall claims of tight security by the police, Karachi remained firmly in the grip of lawlessness as heavy aerial firing marked the arrival of the New Year, and delivered at least a dozen injured to hospitals.

The provincial home department, under Section 144, had imposed a ban on aerial firing, fireworks, pillion riding and riding bikes without silencers. Nevertheless, hundreds of thousands of rounds of ammunition were shot up into the night sky by revelers to mark the beginning of 2015.

Firing incidents were reported from almost all parts of the city, including Malir,New Karachi, Lyari, Jamshed Quarters, Hyderi, Saddar, Shireen Jinnah Colony, Mehmoodabad and Soldier Bazar areas.

According to initial reports, at least a dozen people were reportedly injured from stray bullets in different localities of the city after heavy aerial firing. The injured persons were shifted to different hospitals. Some wounded were said to be in critical condition.

Law enforcers also charged youngsters with batons who had gathered at Five Star Chowrangi to celebrate new year eve. The Sindh government had also imposed a ban on pillion riding, but it failed to effectively enforce the ban with youngsters violating them at will.

Meanwhile, large scores of youth thronged the roads of Lahore — The Mall, Main Boulevard Gulberg, Jail Road and Defence — to celebrate the arrival of new year.

Talking to The Express Tribune, DIG Operations Dr Haider Ashraf said that more than 100 police official along with 5,000 policemen have been tasked with static and patrolling duties. “Strict action would be taken against one-wheelers tonight,” said Ashraf.

Numerous events were also held in DHA, Bedian Road and Raiwind, in the farmhouses where large number of people from different walks of life participated.

Lahore’s Chief Traffic Officer Tayyab Hafeez Cheema said more than 500 traffic wardens are deployed to control the traffic on new year night.

Few incidents of aerial firing were reported in the city and the police took action against those who were involved in such incidents.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 1^st,  2015.

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