An FIR has been registered against the DHA residents who protested outside the office of the Cantonment Board Clifton on August 31.
The case has been registered by Munawwar Hussain, an employee of the CBC, at the Darakhshan police station.
Protestors charged with assault and use of criminal force
Sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty), 148 (rioting, armed with a deadly weapon), 147 (punishment for rioting), 506 (punishment for criminal intimidation), and 34 (acts done by several persons In furtherance of common intention) of the Pakistan Penal Code have been included in the FIR.
The FIR claims that a group of 30 to 35 people forcefully entered the CBC building on Khayaban-e-Rahat.
The protesters have been accused of “fighting with the security guards and police, interfering with the work of CBC employees because of which they weren’t able to work from 12pm to 8pm, harassing people, spreading terror, using offensive language against government institutions, breaking office windows and flower pots.”
Hundreds of people participated in the protests
Hundreds of men, women, and children participated in the protest after their houses were submerged in heavy monsoon rains on August 27. Most areas didn’t have power for over 70 hours and some areas, such as Khayaban-e-Bukhari and Mujahid, remain flooded.
The road on the opposite side of the CBC office was flooded too and protesters parked their vehicles around it as they arrived.
Read more: ‘Heads should roll’: Celebrities lash out at authorities as Karachi drowns
The residents were protesting against the lack of services, master planning, storm-water drains, and the authority’s response during the monsoon flooding crisis that destroyed property.
DHA Karachi among many areas of Karachi affected by the rain
According to data released by the Met department, Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Faisal Base recorded 130 millimetres of rain while Nazimabad has recorded 105.6mm since Thursday morning. Mausamiyat received 74.3mm of rain, while Saadi Town recorded 72mm. About 98.5mm of rain was recorded in PAF Masroor Base, Surjani received 73mm while Kemari recorded 82.5mm.
Many major arteries witnessed severe traffic jams. Power was suspended in several areas as a precautionary measure, a K-Electric spokesperson said.
Read more: PM Khan to visit “monsoon-broken” Karachi
Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Suhail Rajput urged people not to leave their homes during the spell which, according to a Met Office prediction, is expected to continue for another two days.
FIR registered against protesting residents of #DHAKARACHI for raising slogans “against CBC and state institutions”, “intruding into the CBC’s building”, “terrorising govt officials and personnel”, and “stopping relief work.” #DHACares pic.twitter.com/xEcezEvOUH
— Naimat Khan (@NKMalazai) September 2, 2020
Videos and photos making rounds on social media showed submerged cars and motorcycles and water entering houses and buildings, wreaking havoc in the provincial capital.
Scores of social media users, including Federal Minister Ali Zaidi, posted videos and pictures showing Defence Housing Authority flooded with rainwater after heavy showers pounded the city for hours. DHA Karachi was amongst many areas seriously affected by the rain.
“This is DHA KHI,” Zaidi wrote on Twitter, adding, “Bang in front of my house- which is now partly flooded- but many homes in the neighborhood are under 4 feet of water”.
“May Allah have mercy on those who live in low lying areas of this city,” he said in another tweet.
“This is DHA Phase 6 Karachi. What is happening in the low-lying areas of KHI today is devastating yet once again. Testing times for Karachiites yet again! No doubt Allah tests those He loves the most,” he said in another tweet.
Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, in a tweet, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan is monitoring the situation that has arisen in Karachi due to the torrential rains.
“Briefed PM Imran Khan over Sindh rain situation, Karachi needs special attention. This is an unusual and abnormal rain situation which requires an emergency response. PM is monitoring the situation and assured to take any action required,” tweeted Ismail.
GVS News Desk