Lyari still restive as protests continue
KARACHI, Nov 14: Some parts of the city remained tense on Wednesday as workers of the Pakistan People’s Party burnt tyres, resorted to firing into the air and lobbed tear-gas shells on the second consecutive day of protest against Benazir Bhutto’s detention in Lahore.
Lyari was at the focus of the unrest as normal life in nearly the whole town was suspended, with nothing on the roads but burning tyres and blockades. Charged youths took to the streets early in the morning and threw stones at traffic in Chakiwara, Nawa Lane, Ghas Mandi, Baghdadi, Moosa Lane and Gari Khata.
Witnesses said that the police reached the trouble spots promptly but its control over the situation was short-lived as bursts of aerial fire forced fearful residents to stay within their homes. For over two hours, the police and enraged protestors played hide and seek in the restive areas, with the police resorting to tear-gas shelling while PPP workers hurled stones.
The episode ended with the arrest of some 25 young protestors. However, the police said that all these persons were released after an hour since they were not the real culprits behind the day’s violence. “They were mostly teenagers,” said Fayyaz Khan, SP Lyari Town. “They burnt tyres on the roads but were not involved in the firing that caused losses to public property and fear among the residents.”
Meanwhile, the Baghdai police arrested four persons, including members of the Lyari Town Council which is affiliated with the PPP, who were booked a day earlier for inciting violence and creating a poor law and order situation.
“All four are in the lock-up under Sections 147, 148, 149, 353, 427, 324, 353 and 286 of the Pakistan Penal Code,” said a Baghdadi police official.
Protests were also reported from Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Malir, Quaidabad, Purana Golimar and Pak Colony. Youths also blocked the National Highway, which was opened for traffic by the area police after almost an hour.
Protest extended
Meanwhile, the Pakistan People’s Party leadership has extended the originally three-day protest across Sindh until the release of Ms Benazir Bhutto and withdrawal of repressive measures announced by the government.
The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Sindh PPP at the residence of Mr Aftab Shaaban Mirani. Syed Qaim Ali Shah chaired the meeting.
Source: Dawn
Date:11/15/2007
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