10 February 2004	Tuesday	18 Zilhaj 1424

KARACHI, Feb 9: Shops, hotels and other commercial centres were closed down on Monday in Shah Beg Lane following the killing of two persons in an armed clash in Lyari.

Lyari Town Police Officer Ali Mohsin said youths of two tribes - Zikri and Soomro - exchanged hot words in a wedding ceremony in Kalri on a petty issue, which turned into an armed clash. He said two people of Zikri tribe Mohammad Azeem and Mohammad Anwar were shot dead and two others were wounded.

The wounded were taken to a hospital, where their condition was stated to be out of danger. One of the injured was identified as Abdul Ghani. Later, some angry youths burnt tyres and put barricades on Shah Latif Bhittai Road suspending the vehicular traffic. They also damaged private properties. Heavy contingent of police was called to control the law and order situtaion.

Critisizing the agencies concerned for their failure in maintaining deteriorating law and order situation, the leaders of Baloch Ittehad Tehrik (BIT) and the Baloch Rabita Ittefaq Tehrik said that murders and dacoities had become order of the day and police forces had failed to control the crime situation, which was deteriorating day by day.

A meeting of elders of both groups besides some members of provincial and national assemblies was convened by the Lyari town officer at his office and a committee had been constituted to ensure peace in the area.

On Monday afternoon, the funeral prayers were held amid strict security. Heavy contingent of police had been deployed in the area to maintain law and order. "The situation is under control and no untoward incident is reported," the TPO Lyari said.