KARACHI: The Karachi police have allegedly detained several persons, including women and children, protesting outside Bilawal House in Karachi against the demolition of homes situated on Gujjar and Orangi nullahs in an anti-encroachment operation.
Affectees and civil society organisations held a protest outside Bilawal House in Karachi. However, their efforts were foiled by police who allegedly “hijacked” two buses and detained several persons including women and children, according to the organisers.
Both of these activists have been arrested for speaking the truth. SHAME ON SINDH GOVERNMENT. SHAME ON SINDH POLICE.
##StopGujjarNalaDemolitions pic.twitter.com/T9onUafm0Z— Karachi Bachao Tehreek (@StopEvictionKHI) June 21, 2021
Despite all hurdles, many of the protestors managed to reach near Bilawal House where the police prevented them from protesting, snatched banners from them, and detained over 20 persons. Subsequently, they held a protest outside the Karachi Press Club (KPC).
However, the police have denied any detention or torture. Talking to a private newspaper, South Zone SSP Zubair Nazeer Shaikh said the police did not detain or arrest any person. He also denied any action against the protestors.
He said that the protestors had blocked the road and that the police tried to prevent them and advised them to go to Karachi Press Club as such protests were also banned in the Red Zone.
Meanwhile, Sindh government spokesperson, Barrister Murtaza Wahab, has announced that Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had taken notice of the protest and alleged torture of protesters by police outside Bilawal House.
Taking to Twitter, the advisor said, “Sindh government respects freedom of expression,” suggesting that people should also not cause inconveniences to others while holding protests.
I have spoken to the SSP South. No one has been arrested. Please let me know if any individual is right now under arrest. CM Sindh has ordered an inquiry into the incident since #SindhGovt respects the right to peaceful protest https://t.co/fIbKfL8viA
— Murtaza Wahab Siddiqui (@murtazawahab1) June 21, 2021
He said that the chief minister had established a high-level committee to look into the matter of the protest and alleged torture. The body would hold an inquiry into the whole situation.
