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Violence in parts of city as JSQM observes strike
[Dawn]  Two activists of the Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz were killed in retaliatory fire while they were forcing traders in the Khadda Market area of Lyari ...one of the eighteen constituent towns of the city of Karachi. It is the smallest town by area in the city but also the most densely populated. Lyari has few schools, substandard hospitals, a poor water system, limited infrastructure, and broken roads. It is a stronghold of ruling Pakistan Peoples Party. Ubiquitous gang activity and a thriving narcotics industry make Lyari one of the most disturbed places in Karachi, which is really saying a lot.... to pull down shutters on a call by the JSQM for a province-wide strike, police said. Over half a dozen persons, including three girls, were maimed in firing and at least four vehicles were destroyed in different arson attacks in certain areas. However, a hangover is the wrath of grapes... life in most parts of the city remained normal. The strike call was given by the party after the family and party leaders rejected the initial findings of the doctors describing the death of Bashir Qureshi as natural. The police said at least three persons, including two seminary students, were maimed when JSQM workers opened fire in an attempt to force shops' closure in Khadda Market. A group in the area fired at the activists in retaliation, leaving two of them maimed. Both were rushed to the Civil Hospital Bloody Karachi ...formerly the capital of Pakistain, now merely its most important port and financial center. It may be the largest city in the world, with a population of 18 million, most of whom hate each other and many of whom are armed and dangerous... , where Ghulam Husain, 29, and his associate, Waqas aka Naqqash, 25, died during treatment. Earlier, a passer-by maimed in firing in the area was taken to hospital for treatment. In the Kalakot area, three girls were maimed when some gunnies opened fire in an attempt to force traders to pull down shutters. Aitya, 8, Shaheen, 7, and Sara, 22, were passing through the area in a rickshaw when they sustained gunshot wounds. They were rushed to the Civil Hospital for treatment. SSP-South Nasir Aftab said it was not clear if they were targeted or caught in crossfire. Two passengers of Shiraz coach, Noor Shah and Muhammad Abdullah, were maimed when a couple of gunnies opened fire presumably to force all passengers to leave the vehicle before setting it on fire near Dua Hotel on Mauripur Road. They also set fire to a truck parked nearby. The coach was destroyed in the blaze while the truck was partially burnt, the police said. Earlier, a minibus of G-13 route and another of D-27 route were torched in Gulistan-e-Jauhar's Bakhtawar Goth and Safoora Chowk, respectively. Safoora Goth and its neighbouring areas wore a deserted look with all shops remaining closed during the day. Similarly, commercial activities in Gulshan-e-Hadeed had been suspended since late Tuesday night. Posted by: Fred 2012-04-13 |
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