KARACHI: A police officer and two employees of the Karachi Development Authority were injured during an anti-encroachment drive.
The operation was conducted on the orders of the Sindh High Court to vacate over 24 acres of land where several restaurants and illegal structures had been constructed.
A police spokesperson reported that the anti-encroachment team faced resistance from violent individuals who attacked them in Zakaria Goth. The attackers also blocked the road, but the police were present to control the situation, and no casualties were reported.
However, a police officer, said that the land grabbers attacked the team and police with stones when the operation began in Block-10-11. As a result, one policeman and two KDA employees suffered injuries.
The officer stated that a case would be filed against the attackers, but the police deny firing shells or carrying out any aerial firing.
On the other hand, witnesses and rescue services claim that law enforcement officials baton-charged people and fired tear gas at the protesters, although this has been denied.
SSP East Zubair Nazeer Shaikh confirmed that the KDA had initiated the anti-encroachment drive in accordance with the apex court’s instructions.
On March 2, the SHC directed the KDA to retrieve 30 acres of land from illegal occupation and requested the police and Rangers’ assistance to maintain law and order.
Despite the resistance, the operation to retrieve the land continued, and illegal structures, including several restaurants, were demolished with the help of heavy machinery.
The protesters blocked the main road near Munawar Chowrangi, causing traffic to be diverted to alternative routes. A traffic police spokesperson reported that both lanes of the road remained blocked for a considerable time due to the protest.
