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KARACHI, Nov 17: Shopkeepers resumed their business and traffic remained normal in some disturbed areas of Lyari Town on Saturday.
The past four days witnessed a war-like situation in some parts of the town where law enforcers resorted to baton charge and tear gas shelling to disperse those protesting against the detention of Pakistan People’s Party chairperson Benazir Bhutto while many agitators were picked up during these protests.
The town’s main artery, Tannery Road, Sheedi Village Road and Chawkiwara Road connecting Lea Market with Saddar Town were the areas of disturbance where shops remain closed.
Besides other strict measures taken by the law enforcers, the roads were blocked with containers and barricades placed on them. Police and youth hurled tear gas shells against each other.
The unruly youth avoided arrests by playing cat and mouse with the police though efforts of some were put in vain.
Amid these protests, two boys in their twenties and a PPP worker were shot dead on Thursday. However, police were still groping in the dark to get a clue to arrest the killers.
Who’s responsible?
Amazingly, the local leaders of the party do not own these rallies as they blame intelligence agencies for orchestrating these events to discredit the Pakistan People’s Party and discourage political activism while police say some gangsters are behind it. Nobody is ready to claim the responsibility of disturbances in the areas where security had already been beefed up. The fact needs thorough investigation as the line blurs between crime and politics of the locality.
However, what’s clear is the fact that social deprivation and large scale unemployment did have their impact on the young population and made them defiant which was witnessed in the recent turmoil. Lack of communication channels and recreational activities have greatly contributed to the restive conditions in the locality and youths are compelled to give vent to their pent-up feelings by resorting to street agitation. Previously, political activities along with social and cultural activities were the main forums available to them to address their grievances.
And now it appears they resort to agitation and take to the streets whenever a conflicting situation arises as they no longer accept any administrative injustices.
At present, a large number of young Lyariittes are without jobs as few of them are educated. They are forced to live in sub-human conditions as successive governments did not take their problems seriously. Congested roads and streets are a permanent source of noise pollution while insanitation poses serious health hazards. Adding to the problems is proliferation of garages and godowns in residential areas making living exceptionally intolerable. The representatives of non-government organizations in the locality have repeatedly urged the government and its agencies to initiate steps and accelerate the pace of development activities which will have far-reaching effects on the populace. They also suggested that immediate steps should be taken for providing jobs to the youths, besides encouraging sport and extracurricular activities. They said the police officials, known for their alleged links with gangsters, be brought to book instead of their repeated postings in the locality.
