Connection lost: MQM calls for strike, receives lukewarm response

Law enforcers claim arrest of eight men who were forcing shops to close down

SUKKUR/ HYDERABAD/ KARACHI: A partial strike was observed in the province on Saturday on the call of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), which had called for a day of mourning along with an appeal to traders and transporters to keep their businesses shut.

The party had promised to hold a 'peaceful day of mourning' over the death of four workers. Three of them became victims of extrajudicial killings by the Rangers in a fake encounter, while the fourth one was targeted by MQM-Haqiqi, claimed party leader Dr Farooq Sattar in a press conference held a day earlier.

Major shopping centres and commercial areas, including Saddar and Old City areas remained opened. However, markets in some areas such as Korangi, Landhi, Shah Faisal Colony, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Liaquatabad, North Nazimabad, North Karachi and New Karachi remained closed.

In some areas, the Rangers troops patrolling the affected areas were seen forcing the traders and shopkeepers to keep their shops and businesses open. Regular public transport was seen on the roads while fuel stations were also operating as per routine.

Rangers personnel claimed to have apprehended at least eight miscreants for forcing traders to shut down markets in different parts of the city, including Liaquatabad, Jubilee, Karimabad and Orangi Town. "These miscreants belong to the MQM and they were threatening citizens and traders to shut their businesses down," said the Rangers spokesperson in a press release. "They will be produced before an anti-terrorism court soon." The paramilitary force also paid tribute to the peaceful citizens of Karachi for ignoring the threats given by 'anti-peace elements' and 'rejecting' the strike call. "The Rangers and the citizens of Karachi are together for peace of Karachi and our priority is to protect the citizens," said the statement.

Hyderabad and lower Sindh

A partial strike was observed in some parts of Hyderabad, mainly in the City and Latifabad talukas. Although the fuel stations remained open, there were fewer cars on the roads and nearly all the main commercial markets remained shut. Sindh Rangers and the police were deployed at the closed markets to ensure the traders' security. Some markets in Mirpurkhas and Tando Allahyar also remained closed.

Meanwhile, MQM workers and supporters marked a 'black day'. They gathered at the MQM's zonal office at Bhai Khan Charhi to express solidarity with the party.

Some MQM workers were booked in an FIR, lodged by Market police against the activists, for allegedly threatening the traders to close their shops and firing aerial shots. The unit incharge, Nadeem Rao, joint incharge Rizwan Arain, Umair alias Bhaiya, Faheem Zia, Asif Chauhan and three unknown men have been nominated in the case. However, the police have not confirmed any arrests so far.

Sukkur and upper Sindh

MQM's Yaum-e-Sog failed to garner any response in Sukkur and other parts of the upper Sindh. On Friday night, soon after the announcement of the day of mourning, a heavy contingent of Rangers and police started patrolling the city, which continued overnight and throughout the day. Business activities throughout the city continued peacefully and no untoward incident was reported.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2015.