KARACHI, March 13: Lyariites have been perturbed over the ongoing gang-war in their area that has claimed scores of innocent lives and it appears that the law enforcement agencies have failed to curb the activities of these anti-social elements.
It is observed that whenever a crackdown operation is launched, these elements temporarily disappear from the scene by taking refuge in the surrounding areas, which have been turned into safe havens for their anti-social activities.
The atmosphere of fear and terror has created a sense of alienation among people owing to indifferent attitude of the law enforcers.
In some parts of the town including Kalakot, Rexer lane, Singoo Lane and parts of Shah Beg Union Council area, people are more than willing to move to other areas of the city but cannot afford to do so due to financial constraints and moreover, they are reluctant to break their centuries old cultural ties.
Exchange of fires and killings have become a routine in the area forcing people, belonging to low-income group, to stay at home thus depriving them of any recreational activities.
Sale of drugs is on the rise and addicts can be seen roaming freely in the area but no police action in sight. According to rights’ activists, search operations have been conducted many a times but to no avail.
They say that people are so panic-stricken; they do not dare take the risk of talking about it. A senior social worker on condition of anonymity said that drug and arms trafficking had become an organised trade.
“Though it is a small group, yet they are controlling a vast area owing to their gun-power. They roam freely in the narrow lanes flaunting their arms and resort to aerial firing to terrorise people,” he added.
An NGO activist remarked that people had lost faith in every institution. Experience told them that they could not challenge the power of these gangsters.
He stressed the need for a drastic action by the administration and the elected representatives to wipe these gangsters out of Lyari.
