News
Monday, August 01, 2011
Karachi plagued by intense wave of vandalism* No outcome despite several search operations
By Atif Raza
KARACHI: Karachi, the city of lights, which passed through many ups and downs in the past, has been plagued by intense wave of vandalism since July 22, which has so far claimed the lives of 90 persons.
Most of the senior analysts termed this violence as the reaction over the remarks of senior provincial minister while others are not accepting it. They were of the view that it was done by some unscrupulous elements, who do not want to remain peaceful in the city because the city produces over 60 percent revenue of the country besides being considered as the financial hub of the country. Hence, unscrupulous elements are striving to stretch the present deteriorating law and order situation to destabilise the country.
At around 07:00am on July 22, the city came under this intense wave of violence when a group of armed men, who were stated to be backed by the senior provincial minister, started bloodshed in Malir and Landhi areas. They roamed at different areas of Malir and targeted 13 innocent persons with no fear of apprehension.
Following this incident, the unabated wave of target killings still continues, which has so far claimed 90 lives, despite having assurance of the authority concerned to take stern action for maintaining peace in the city. Since this carnage, all commercial and social activities of the city remained dull, forcing the business community to switch businesses in other parts of the globe.
Although heavy contingent of police and paramilitary Rangers were brought in the most affected areas, they became silent spectators during the violent episode with the best reason known to them. In past, ethnic and political violence erupted in specific areas but now the violence has abruptly spreading all over the city where the miscreants used heavy weaponries, including machine guns, rockets, grenades and other sophisticated destructive devices. The culprits have no mercy on public transport, which is the main source of travel for over 75 percent of population as they opened fire on moving vehicles, killing dozens of lives on ethnic ground.
Orangi Town, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, New Karachi, Ranchore Line, Ramswami, Lyari, Aligarh Colony, Qasba Morr, Qasba Colony, Bukhari Colony, Kali Pahari, Kati Pahari, Banaras, Islam Chowk, Mohajir Chowk, Mominabad, Pirabad, Jaffar Tayyar Society, Aasu Goth, Muhabbat Nagar, Landhi 89, Dawood Colony, Sherpao Colony, Hussaini Chowk and other areas have been hit by ethnic violence for the last nine days.
In these areas, the miscreants demand extortions and threaten of dire consequences over the refusal to pay the same.
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) have claimed to evolve a comprehensive strategy to cope with the wrongdoers. The agencies have conducted several search operations at the affected areas but no outcome has been witnessed so far, which provides relief to the inhabitants of these undeclared battlefields for interracial extremists.
According to the records, around more than 350 people were killed in July 2011 that include 24 activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement, 12 of Kachhi Rabita Council, nine of Awami National Party, five of Pakistan People’s Party and others. Around 50 vehicles, four houses, several pushcarts were torched during this period.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk