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| September 15, 2005 | Thursday | Sha'aban 10, 1426 |
Killing in Quetta triggers protests
QUETTA, Sept 14: The provincial capital’s main markets were closed on Wednesday evening following the death of a man in a sectarian attack. This was the second murder in 24 hours.
Police used tear gas to disperse protesters who wanted to take the body to the Governor’s House but they staged a sit in on a road near the provincial police chief’s house from 11am till 6pm.
They took the body away after assurances given by Chief Minister Jam Mohammed Yousuf to a delegation led by Ashraf Zaidi and Allama Maqsood Domki that the assailants would be arrested.
Representatives of the protesters condemned killings of people of their community by terrorists and expressed dissatisfaction over the government’s failure to check such incidents.
Ejaz Hasan, the deceased, was a railway employee.
A spokesman for the defunct Lashkar-i-Jhangvi telephoned the press club and claimed responsibility for the killing of Ayaz Bungash on Tuesday and Ejazul Hasan on Wednesday.
Shops in Liaquat Bazaar, Meezan Chowk and Jinnah Road were closed when rumours spread that the protesters taking the body in a procession to an imambargah were attacking shops. The panic also caused traffic jam at different places.
After the procession passed, people belonging to another sect assembled at Meezan Chowk and protested against the slogans raised by its members. Police used tear gas to disperse the crowd. A motorbike was damaged by the protesters.
Members of the Anjuman-i-Tajiran, led by its president Abdur Rahim Kakar, took out a procession in the night, condemning forcible closure of the shops by protesters. Speaking to traders at Manan Chowk, Mr Kakar demanded that the government should provide protection to the business community.
Talking to the delegation, the chief minister said the government would take major steps to curb the activities of the defunct organizations which were spreading hatred amongst both the major sects.
He said police would arrest the attackers and the government would protect the lives and property of the citizens.
The chief minister emphasized that ulema should play their role to maintain brotherhood between the sects.
He said the government had directed police to register cases against the sectarian attackers under the Anti-Terrorism Act to make the process speedy.
He said changes in laws would be made to deal strictly with terrorists involved in sectarian attacks.
He ordered establishment of an effective intelligence system to keep surveillance on the activities of defunct organizations.
He said more police checkpoints would be set up on Sariab Road.
The chief minister announced compensation of Rs300,000 each for the heirs of Ayaz Bungash and Ejazul Hasan.
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