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Mischief in Karachi mob teeters on ethnic violence

Staff Report

KARACHI: Some people reportedly tried to turn what started out as an angry protest against a lack of electricity after the rains into ethnic violence Sunday.

The power outage sparked a violent reaction from affected residents near Al-Asif Square Sohrab Goth but then there were reports that unidentified gunmen made abortive attempts to turn the protest into ethnic clashes.

“Residents of Bakhar Goth came to streets after the goth’s electric power supply remained suspended since Saturday afternoon,” said a witness who lives along Abul Hassan Isphahani Road.

The protesting residents blocked the Super Highway by burning tires and throwing stones at vehicles. Some armed persons went towards Rabia Petals where they started ransacking the shops and carts. Their aerial firing caused a stampede and scared the residents. Reports had it that some young armed men also fired in the air to compel other armed persons to retreat. Following the firing, the police dispersed the protestors and blocked the roads leading to Rabia Petals.

The firing left at least four people injured. There were unconfirmed reports that a flower seller who was injured, breathed his last, but neither the police nor hospital sources confirmed this till Sunday night.

The police were forced to divert traffic from the affected point on the Super Highway as the protestors stayed put. Rumours were bandied around across the city that ethnic clashes between Muhajirs and Pakhtoons took place near Super Highway. However, residents of the area denied it.

“There is no ethnic riot or clash. The affected residents’, a majority of who are Pakhtoons, had been protesting against the power outage. Miscreants might have penetrated the protestors,” said Amin Khattak, provincial general secretary of the Awami National Party.

Armed men also stormed the residential area of Block 20 of Federal B Area. Tension gripped the residents of Latif Terrace and Mazia Square because of the sound of firing in front of Latif Terrace near Edhi Cold Storage.

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