At least 73 people involved in killings, riots and arson at the Numaish Chowrangi on Muharram 1 have been identified by investigators through the footage of 18 closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed at the spot; however, action against the miscreants will be taken after Muharram 10, Pakistan Today has learnt. A number of CCTV cameras are installed at the Numaish Chowrangi as it is a declared ‘sensitive area’ and almost all political parties organise their rallies and gatherings there. Well-placed sources told Pakistan Today on Thursday that investigators had obtained the CCTV footages of 18 cameras for identifying the rioters behind the mayhem that erupted after two Shia scouts were gunned down. “The footage of 12 cameras was obtained from the Karachi Police Head Office and six recordings were acquired from the city government’s Command and Control Centre,” the sources said.
The sources said that investigators had thoroughly reviewed the whole episode. “The 53-minute footage has recorded the whole incident and helped the investigators in identifying the terrorists, rioters and arsonists.” The video recordings reveal that a clash had erupted between two groups at Numaish Chowrangi and two scouts were shot dead when activists of the rival group opened fire. Later, the enraged protesters attacked the Baab-e-Rehmat mosque and torched more than 50 vehicles, mostly owned by people who had come to the mosque to offer Zohr prayers.
The sources claimed that the killers of scouts were easily identified in the CCTV footage, whereas, the people who blocked the area for more than five hours can also be seen in the videos. “Investigators have identified more than 73 rioters who damaged public property and prepared a brief report including the pictures of the miscreants. The report has been sent to the Karachi police high-ups.”
A police official, on condition of anonymity, said: “We have submitted our report along with all the evidences to the high-ups. We have received orders to wait until Muharram 10.”
“The killers of two scouts were arrested from the spot and are behind bars. The rest of the suspects who fired at police and Rangers and set ablaze public property would be arrested soon, he added.
The sources, however, claimed that the police are reluctant in taking action against the miscreants due to some “unknown reasons”.
Eleven activists, including two alleged killers, associated with the banned religious outfit, Sipah-e-Sahaba, are already in the custody of law enforcers.
