December 30, 2007	Sunday	Zilhaj 19, 1428

KARACHI, Dec 29: Angry mobs remained on the rampage till Saturday as they looted an estimated Rs100 million worth of rice and pulses from various godowns in Usmanabad near Chakiwara and Lyari since Friday.

However, in industrial areas, except for F B Industrial Area and Landhi Industrial Area, many industrialists in areas, like North Karachi, Site and Korangi, complained about loot and plunder in various units, besides damage to goods and property.

Chairman, Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA), Anis Majeed, said as many as 20-25 godowns, mainly of rice and pulses, had been looted by miscreants and till Saturday the godowns reported theft of essential goods.

The share of only rice comes to Rs90 million, out of total Rs100 million. “We have been requesting the rangers to take control of the situation. They pay visit to the area, but after their departure, angry mobs again become active,” he said.

He said if the plunder of essential goods continues to thrive for the next one or two days, there will be a huge problem for the wholesalers on Monday to bring new stocks in their shops in case markets open after normalcy.

Godowns usually have eight days stocks in hands, but the way commodities are being looted, it may create shortage in the market.

He said arrival of goods from upcountry had been suspended since Friday and it may continue till Sunday.

President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Shamim Ahmed Shamsi, said the government and the rangers had taken very late steps to control the situation, and especially the stealing of essential goods at Usmanabad godowns.

He said more than one dozen factories had been torched in various industrial areas. He urged the government to take notice of the deteriorating law and order situation.

Chairman, North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry (NKATI), Faraz Mirza, said at least five towel factories and one processing unit had been set on fire followed by the stealing of goods in various factories.

He added that business activities remained completely shut on Saturday.

An industrialist in Korangi said some five to six factories had been torched on Friday followed by burning of 10-12 containers standing outside the factories.

He said the entire industrial area had been closed since Friday.

Senior Vice Chairman Site Association of Industry Rauf A. Sattar said 15-20 factories had been looted followed by damage to property inside factories while all the factories in the entire business area remained completely closed for the second consecutive day.