Mob sets fire to several dumpers in Karachi following traffic scare

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KARACHI: Angry citizens set fire to several dumper trucks at various places on Wednesday evening when a speeding dumper truck crushed two motorcycles in the northern Karachi area.

The provincial government, taking notice of the situation, ordered the authorities to arrest the driver and those involved in the burning of vehicles.

The incident started when a speeding dump truck, allegedly hit by a young man, was hit by two motorcycles near Nagan Chorangi flyover.

No damage was reported in the incident. However, the incident angered angry citizens who set fire to several dumper trucks on the same.

Police said at least nine vehicles were set on fire, including five dumpers and four water tankers.

According to police officials, five dumpers were torched in a powerhouse cycle, while three water tankers were burned in 4K cycle, and another in Baba Moore in Surjani city.

Violence

According to eyewitnesses, dumper – is allegedly driven by a teenager aged 17 to 18 – when two motorcycles collided with the Nagan Chorangi flyover from flyover. The riders survived minor injuries.

The mob allegedly surrounded the dumper, attacked the driver and blocked his way using motorcycles. In an attempt to escape, the driver allegedly ran over the bike, and promoted the situation.

The angry mob then torched several dumper trucks in the powerhouse cycle, and later more vehicles broke out near the 4K Chorangi area. Police sources confirmed that a total of seven dumpers were burned in the violence.

Firefighters managed to extinguish flames with the support of police units. A large police contingent was deployed in the affected areas to control the situation.

Police said they were also collecting information from hospitals to find out if there was an unidentified injury.

Police action

Police started crackdown overnight and detained several suspects overnight, SSP Central spokesman told Geo News. The suspects were identified through CCTV footage and mobile videos.

He added that the identity process is underway and it has warned that the person trying to sabotage the law and order will face drastic action.

He further confirmed that there was no interruption in traffic around Power House Chorangi and that the roads were open, an important presence of police is deployed.

Responding to the incident and burning of vehicles, dumper drivers staged a protest on the super highway, which threw the garbage on the main road near Sohrab Goth and Alfaif Square, which severely affected the flow of traffic.

Several dumpers allegedly evacuated the garbage in the area, temporarily blocked the M-9 motorway.

Police held talks with the protesting drivers, after which the protest was banned. Traffic was restored on M-9 after clearing the trash and rocks thrown from the road.

Addressing media at the Power House Chorangi, Liakot Mehsud, chairman of the Dumper Association, claimed that 11 vehicles belonging to the association had been burnt.

He called for government action and protection for dumper owners and drivers. “If anyone was injured in the accident, let them come forward. Where are they?” He asked questioning the incident.

Calls for patience

Reacting to the situation strongly, Interior Minister Zia Lanjar expressed regret over the accident and issued orders for immediate arrest of those involved in negligence driving and burning vehicles.

“No one is allowed to fire heavy vehicles,” he said.

He further directed the police to investigate the protests near Sohrab Goth and arrest those involved in inciting violence.

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessuri also expressed concern over the incidents. Recognizing public frustration over heavy vehicles deadly road accidents, he stressed that the law should not be taken into his own hands.

“Citizens have the right to worry, but the law should prevail,” he said.

He added: “We should not allow anybody to fight against brotherhood or the flames of the Muslim Brotherhood. Those trying to incite chaos will not succeed.”