KARACHI, July 12: The armed conflict between two criminal groups in Lyari paralysed the operation of bus service between Sindh and Balochistan on Monday.

The Sindh-Balochistan bus service operators in Lea Market suspended their operation to protest against the burning of two buses allegedly by Arshad Papoo gang members on Sunday.

However, the markets and shops in the area remained open. Besides, the local buses and coaches were plied in the city. Police believed that the inter-provincial bus operator, whose buses were torched on Sunday, was punished by Arshad Pappoo group for refusing to give extortion.

Two buses, owned by Ozair, were coming from Turbat to Karachi when they were hijacked near Mewashah graveyard on Sunday. Later, both the buses were set on fire, police added.

The chairman of the Sindh-Balochistan Transport Operators Association, Mr Attaullah, told Dawn they would continue their protest and suspend bus service till their demands were accepted.

He said that 150 buses had been parked at Rais Goth near Hub Chowki and all the transporters had decided not to ply buses to pressurise government for their demands. He further said that the transporters were demanding compensation for the two buses.

However, he claimed that no high official had contacted the transporters on the issue so far. Mr Attaullah said that the bus operators were ready to shift their business to Yousaf Goth as proposed by the city government only if basic amenities of electricity and water were provided to the proposed terminus.

For the past many months, the police appeared to have failed in imposing its writ, as the armed fighting between Arshad Papoo and Rehman Dakait groups has claimed several lives.

On Monday, some police officials and transporters based in Lea Market held a meeting in Lyari. During the meeting, the transporters were given assurance that their buses would be provided safe passage in the areas of Lyari and Baldia towns.

A local transporter, Attaullah Hashim, Dawn that a majority of Quetta-bound buses being operated from Old Sabzi Mandi, Sohrab Goth and Saddar area were plied on Monday. SITE Town Police Officer Imran Shaukat told Dawn that police were planning further arrests and soon the ring leader would be put behind the bars.

Police said that eight suspects were arrested during the raids conducted in Jehanabad, Lashari Para and Pepri Shah areas on Sunday night. Three of them had confessed that they had set the two vehicles on fire, police added.