Pakistani police clash with protesters angry over eviction
Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
Publication Date | 24 October 2018 |
Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Pakistani police clash with protesters angry over eviction, 24 October 2018, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5c34a6fa3.html [accessed 28 May 2023] |
Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
2018-10-24
Police in Pakistan's largest city, Karachi, have clashed with local residents protesting their eviction from housing provided to government employees.
Television footage showed police officers in riot gear armed with batons charging at the protesters on October 24.
Water cannons were also used to keep the crowd at bay.
The protesters pelted the officers with stones, injuring four of them, according to a police spokesperson.
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah later ordered the withdrawal of police from the area.
Some reports said the violence left at least 12 injured on both sides.
Police officer Shamael Riaz said more than a dozen protesters were arrested for obstructing police efforts to carry out eviction orders.
The Supreme Court in July ordered the eviction of alleged illegal occupants of housing allocated to government employees, including in a Karachi area called Pakistan Quarters.
Based on reporting by AP and Dawn
Link to original story on RFE/RL website