Residents bear the brunt as police, protesters clash in Malir

Residents of nearby localities were virtually cut off from the rest of Karachi as police and Shia protesters demanding the release of their arrested leaders clashed for over ten hours at Malir 15, Sharea Faisal, on Monday.

The protesters blocked the road at Malir 15 causing a massive traffic jam on Sharea Faisal and National Highway. They also blocked the railway track, bringing train movement to a halt.

The police tried negotiating with the protesters but their attempts failed.

After the demonstrators pelted stones at the police, the latter used teargas, fired gunshots in the air and baton-charged the former to disperse them.

Many protesters were also arrested. A couple of policemen were also injured in the clash.

Talking to The News, SSP Korangi Nauman Siddiqui said the police were informed on Monday morning that a few protesters had blocked both tracks of Sharea Faisal at Malir 15 in protest against the arrest of Shia leaders. “The Saudabad police went there to negotiate with them but they continued with their protest.”

Later, the SSP added, he was going there himself to talk with the protesters. But before he could reach there, the protesters had attacked media personnel and also pelted stones at the police team, forcing him to turn back. The official said the protesters had also blocked the railway track because of which Tezgam and Green Line trains were stuck at the Landhi and Bin Qasim junctions.

 “The protesters didn’t include any Shia leaders. They were mostly young men of the community.”

He added that the police tried to disperse them peacefully but the protesters did not budge and fired gunshots at the police too. “This compelled the police to use teargas and baton-charging to disperse them.”

The official said around 15 protesters were arrested and 36 motorcycles confiscated.

An FIR against them was registered at the Saudabad police station for arson, creating law and order situation, and damaging public property.

 

Withdrawal of FIRs

The Sindh chief minister on Monday night ordered the IGP to withdraw the FIRs lodged against the protesters who had blocked the roads at Numaish Chowrangi and Malir 15 earlier in the day.

Murad Ali Shah issued these orders after a delegation of Shia scholars and leaders met him at the Chief Minister’s House.

The chief minister while ordering the withdrawal of the FIRs also urged the delegation to persuade the members of their community to not block roads and resort to agitation.

The delegation was led by Allama Abbas Kumeli. Its other members included Allama Sahibzada Hamid Raza, Allama Ali Hassan Naqvi, Allama Nazir Naqvi, Allama Nasir Sheerazi, and Allama Shabbar Raza Zaidi.

The participants of the meeting included provincial minister Syed Nasir Shah, Dr Qayoom Soomro. Maula Bux Chandio, Nadir Khowaja. IGP AD Khowaja, Additional IG Karachi Mushtaq Maher and the Karachi commissioner.

The chief minister said he had ordered an operation in the city on across-the-board basis. “This operation is not against any sect or group but it is for the protection of each and every individual living in this city,” he added.

The chief minister thanked the members of the delegation for meeting him on a short notice. He told the Shia scholars and leaders that the crackdown was against the elements bent on disturbing peace and creating sectarian unrest in Karachi.

The delegation discussed the issue of Faisal Raza Abidi’s arrest with chief minister. Shah responded that Abidi was arrested for possessing an unlicensed weapon. He added that Abidi would be released as soon as he would produce the licence.

Talking about the arrest of Mirza Yousuf Hussain, the chief minister said the Shia leader would have to seek bail from court.