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KARACHI, May 8: On the second consecutive day of violence in many areas of Karachi, a man was killed, seven others injured and six more vehicles were burnt on Saturday, when people protested against the killing of 14 people and injuring many others in the Hyderi mosque bomb explosion on Friday.
The worst affected areas were Sohrab Goth and Ancholi where people clashed with police and those shopkeepers who resisted the protesters when they forced them to close shops.
Saudabad police station was attacked by a mob in Malir and a section of a busy artery M. A. Jinnah Road remained closed throughout the day as the protesters staged protest at Numaish intersection. Police used teargas shelling to disperse the protesters.
Due to heavy shelling, the protesters had to retreat but they reassembled every time the shelling stopped. The hide-and-seek continued for hours in the entire troubled area and the vehicular traffic on Super Highway remained suspended during the course of agitation.
Besides, the shops, markets and commercial centres remained closed in the city on a call to mourn the deaths in the bomb blast. The administration of schools and educational institutions closed them after thin attendance.
Late Saturday night, an automobile was set on fire near Lasbella Chowrangi. Fire brigade sources said unknown miscreants, numbering five to six, intercepted a car (AB-407) around mid-night and torched it. Its owner ran away for safety.
One killed, 7 injured as violence continues: Protest against blast
KARACHI, May 8: One person was killed and seven others were injured as violence continued on the second consecutive day, Saturday, as people protested against the bomb blast in Hyderi mosque during Friday prayers.
Six more vehicles were set on fire at Sohrab Goth in the fresh outbreak of violence on Saturday amid a complete shutdown observed in most parts of the city to mourn the 14 deaths in the blast which had also left 96 others injured.
A man, Juma Khan, sustained fatal bullet injury when groups of mourners and protesters tried to force some shopkeepers at Sohrab Goth to pull down the shutters.
Reports said that the trouble had started from Ancholi Society, in Federal B Area, when protesters assembled at the Khairul Amal mosque headed in groups towards Sohrab Goth and pelted stones at moving vehicles on the way. They also pelted stones at some shops which were open near the Sohrab Goth bridge and forced the shopkeepers to join in the shutdown.
As they and other shopkeepers offered strong resistance to the protesters, a clash between the two sides ensued. Firearms were used in the clash which left a man, Juma Khan, dead and seven others, including Safeerullah, Dilbar Khan, Farooq and Akbar, injured.
Police intervened to bring the situation under control by lobbing teargas shells.
The protesters crossed the bridge and moved towards Al-Asif Square where they attacked more shops with stones prompting another clash. Police also followed them and fired more teargas shells.
At the intersection of Sohrab Goth and on the Rashid Minhas Road, some protesters intercepted six vehicles and set them ablaze.
Due to heavy shelling, the protesters had to retreat but they reassembled every time the shelling stopped. The hide-and-seek continued for hours in the entire troubled area and the vehicular traffic on Super Highway remained suspended during the course of agitation.
The intersection of Purani Numaish and its adjoining localities, which appeared to be the centre of post-blast violence on Friday, remained tense on Saturday.
Police had to cordon off M. A. Jinnah Road from Guru Mandir to Capri Cinema traffic signal.
Protesters, who had gathered at the Mehfil Shah-i-Khurasan tried to block the Soldier Bazaar road and intercept vehicles. However, police foiled their attempts by lobbing teargas shells. The shelling forced protesters to retreat to nearby lanes and bylanes only to re-emerge on the road. The hide-and-seek continued throughout the day.
In Malir, groups of people took to the street and raised slogans against the government and police. They surrounded the Saudabad police station and attacked it with stones. The police personnel inside barricaded themselves by shutting the doors. A message was aired for reinforcement which arrived and dispersed the protesters.
Almost all the major markets, bazaars, shops, business establishments and educational institutions in most parts of the city remained closed amid tense atmosphere on Saturday. Vehicular traffic remained thin. Attendance in offices also remained thin and people remained indoors.
APPEAL: Edhi Foundation has appealed for blood donation for those injured in the mosque blast. The blood groups required are 'A-, O- and B-' Donors may contact the Edhi Centre, Mereweather Tower, or on phone numbers 2201261-62. Mr Rizwan Edhi 0320-4324226.
