Woman dies, several injured in Karachi police, quarters resident clashes

 A woman reportedly died of suffocation and at least 16, including six policemen, were injured on Wednesday as a protest by residents of Pakistan Quarters against their eviction led to clashes with police.

Police also took several residents of the federal residential colonies in Karachi into custody as they staged a protest against the operation to evict them from the quarters following the Supreme Court’s directives.

Residents, including women and children, installed blockades at entrances of the quarters and did not allow personnel of law enforcement agencies to enter leading to clashes between them.

Residents beat up and threw stones at personnel attempting to enter the quarters. Heavy contingents of police, including the anti-riot force, were called and they resorted to baton-charge, tear gas shelling and used a water canon to disperse the protesters.

One policeman also resorted to aerial firing following which he was taken into custody and his weapon was seized.

Sixteen, including six policemen, were injured in the ensuing clashes.

As the situation worsened, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah telephoned AIG Karachi and expressed anger over police’s use of force. Shah further directed the immediate withdrawal of police from the quarters.