Karachi: Agitating protesters set two heavy vehicles on fire and vandalised vehicles at Maari Pur road to protest against the worsening law and order situation in Lyari on Thursday.
Others blocked the road causing traffic chaos. The protests, that began in the morning, saw participation from a large number of people by afternoon.
Many voiced opposition to the frequent kidnapping and murder cases by rival gangs in Lyari, including the death of bus conductor who was killed in a shootout incident.
A police officer and a constable were injured when members from one of the groups opened fire on the police. The perpetrators managed to escape from the scene.
Police called contingents of paramilitary rangers as a reinforcement.
With the deployment of rangers protesters started dispersing. But sooner the protesters dispersed, transporters took the road to protesting against the burning of their vehicles.
The transporters were demanding compensation of their burnt vehicles.
Senior police officer Tariq Dharejo talking to the media on the spot said that the operations against the criminals and outlaws would continue for another couple of days all across Lyari without any discrimination.
For past five days intense firing and killings were going on in many parts of Lyari creating scare among the residents. Huge blasts were also heard which were supposed to be of hand grenades. Hagora Abad, Kalir, Agra Taj Colony, Behar Colony and Madara tows in Lyari remained the worst affected parts of violence.
People remained stranded at their homes as there was intense firing going for past night. An auto rickshaw driver died of a stray bullet.
