250 Orangi residents booked under anti-terrorism act, 9 arrested

KARACHI: Police have registered a case under the anti-terrorism act against 250 residents of Orangi Town, a day after protests against increasing robbery cases turned violent.

The police have included serious charges including attempt to murder and rioting.

Nine people have been arrested and raids were carried out at various houses.

Three people were injured when a protest by residents of Orangi Town over increasing number of robberies in their area turned violent. A man injured in the firing succumbed to his injuries today.

The demonstrators had staged the protest in Orangi Town’s Islam Chowk area on Sunday. They alleged that the police are protecting the culprits involved in street crimes. The protesters had burnt tyres and closed down the road of their area.

They also broke the windows of a police mobile van. After failed negotiations between the police and protesters, the police resorted to aerial firing and tear gas shelling to disperse the demonstrators.

After the area situation turned worst, Rangers reached the site and dispersed the crowd. Later, the police resumed traffic to the area.

After the protest, law enforcers conducted house-to-house search and arrested 15 people.

Speaking about the incident, District West SSP Nasir Aftab said that the residents of the area never report street crimes. He remarked that he is willing to listen to the complaints of the people.