Day 2 of violence claims 10 more lives

Source: Daily times

Sunday, January 31, 2010

By Faraz Khan

KARACHI: As many as 10 people were killed in separate parts of the city on Saturday, bringing the death toll to 12 in the violent events that started the previous night.

According to details, tension sparked off Friday night when activists of the Awami National Party and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement clashed over ‘wall-chalking’ in Qasba Colony, resulting in the death of one activist each of both parties.

The violent incidents continued on Saturday, especially in Orangi Town where at least seven people were killed - bringing the death toll to nine in the town - while three others were slain in different parts of Karachi.

In an incident of violence, Rasool Khan - a rickshaw driver by profession - was gunned down near Qasba Morr in Orangi Town by unidentified suspects who opened fire on him when he was waiting for passengers. The culprits then easily managed to escape from the crime scene.

According to a press release issued by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf, Khan was their party member. However, ANP had earlier claimed his affiliation with their party.

In another incident, a young man, apparently a Pukhtoon, was killed near the 1-C bus stop in Orangi Town in Peerabad police station limits.

Also in Orangi Town, the bodies of two young men, apparently Pukhtoon, were found from the Shadab Ground. One of the victims was identified as Badshah Khan while the other was yet to be identified until the filing of this report.

According to the police officials, the men were killed after being kidnapped and culprits had gunned them down after subjecting them to torture.

Following this incident, 40-year-old Toti Khan was killed while his companion Gul Khan wounded when people carrying weapons restored to firing at a high-roof near the mobile market in Orangi Town in Mominabad police station limits.

Also in Mominabad police station limits, another man was killed whose identity was yet to be ascertained until the filing of this report.

Naik Mohammad, apparently a Pukhtoon, was also shot dead in Orangi Town police station limits.

Three other people who were killed in separate parts of the city included Sajid Ahsan, Fahim Baig and Sajid Umer.

Sajid Ahsan, 22 - an employee of a private news channel and also said to be affiliated with the MQM - was killed in Sharifabad police station limits.

Fahim Baig was gunned down while his friend Mansoor wounded in the Sultanabad area in Manghopir police station limits.

The police have termed the incident as a business dispute.

Sajid Omer - a former member of the group of Lyari’s gangster Rehman Dakait - was found dead from the Usmanabad area in Kalakot police station limits.

According to some reports, people carrying weapons torched at least three vehicles - including a passenger bus - on Saturday night in Tauheed Colony in Mominabad police station limits.

Intense firing gripped Aligarh Colony, Qasba Colony, Gabol Colony, Bukhari Colony and Kati Pahari areas, creating panic and fear among the residents.

The bodies of the people killed in Orangi Town were brought to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital where an angry mob chanted slogans and blocked the roads in protest.

Incidents of firing continued in various areas of Orangi Town where businesses were closed down and the streets were deserted as the residents were confined to their homes.

It is pertinent to mention here that at least 42 people were killed in the five-day carnage earlier this month and later it ended after the two big political party’s leadership negotiated with each other over the issue but it again escalated.

Law enforcers have been unable to stop the bloodbath and make any arrests in this regard. Moreover, the police have been unable to ascertain the actual cause of the incident and unsurprisingly have been trying to change the nature of the violence by giving flimsy excuses.

Meanwhile, as a routine practice, government officials have also issued their statements in this regard.

Taking notice of the recent wave of target killings in the city, Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah has and directed Capital City Police Officer Waseem Ahmed to control the tense situation in the city.

He called on him to provide security to common people and demanded immediate arrests of the miscreants.