KARACHI, March 23: Enraged people set a minibus and private property on fire after an accident in which a young girl received injuries in Surjani Town. Police said a mother and her daughter were crossing a main road when a minibus of route hit the young girl, wounding her slightly. After the incident, victim’s mother hurled abuses at the driver. Police said the driver reportedly responded in the same tone, upon which people got infuriated.

Police said some unknown persons, taking advantage of the situation, also set two roadside hotels and a pan cabin on fire. Miscreants made their escape good before the police reached the spot. Earlier, the wounded girl was taken to Abbasi Shaheed Hospital for treatment.

However, area residents said that Shama Bibi, a resident of Sector 7-A Surjani Town, was travelling in Khan Coach with her young daughter and other children. When the coach reached the terminus of F-18 minibus, the conductor allegedly teased women passengers.

When Shama complained about the behaviour of bus conductor and driver, they stopped the vehicle and forced them to get of the minibus, on which other passengers travelling in the same vehicle shouted at the bus conductor.

Supporters of the driver and conductor at the terminus intervened and roughed up some passengers, which led to a free-for-all.

Later, a mob ransacked several vehicles parked at the bus terminus and set mini-bus (JA-0890) on fire, besides makeshift shops. They pelted vehicles with stones and blocked roads. Later, the riot turned into a brawl between transporters and area residents.

However, police have registered a case (FIR No 58/2005) against unidentified drivers, conductors and their other accomplices on the complaint of Shama Bibi and FIR No 59/2005, against unidentified persons for breach of peace and burning a minibus on the complaint of Almas Khan.