KARACHI: Troops were called in last evening [Nov 1] by the local administration to assist it in preventing further lawlessness in the Landhi industrial area, and to make [it] safe for the willing workers to resume duties. Earlier in the day, another labour-Police clash had taken place in Landhi which claimed the life of a labourer. This brought the total number of deaths, during the Police firings on Landhi workers on three occasions, to seven.

Police came into conflict with the striking workers when some labourers belonging to the Haddi Mills were heading towards the mills under Police protection, to report for duty in response to the appeal of the Sind Chief Minister, Mr. Mumtaz Bhutto. The police party, according to a Government Press note, was subjected to … stoning. Militant workers raised road blockades in a bid to stop the workers from going to work. The police opened fire, once in the air.

According to the Press Note, 10 policemen were injured … in stoning, while the workers said that at least 15 labourers had been injured. … Troops came in aid of the civil administration at 7 p.m. and set up four camps, one each at the Haddi Mills, Railway crossing, Gul Ahmed Mills crossing and Hussein-Adamjee Mills. …Army jawans started patrolling the area. They have been given specific orders to deal with the law-breakers seriously. Tension prevailed in the evening, and most of the industrial units remained idle.

Published in Dawn, November 2nd, 2022