A Sindh Taraqi Pasand Party (STPP) activist was murdered and two other injured in Block-III of Gulistan-e-Jauhar, inviting the ire of their fellows, who believe the police opened fire at them for pillion riding, while the law enforcers claim they were thwarting their robbery attempt.
The STPP activist killing sparked violence in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, where unidentified men fired in the air and forcibly shut down shops.
Aamir Thameem, the slain STPP activist, was the younger brother of the party’s Gulshan-e-Iqbal division chief Ashique Thameem.
Gulistan-e-Jauhar SHO Sohail Suleri said five robbers were depriving citizens of their valuables near the Mirza Petrol Pump. When a police team reached there while routine patrolling, it was attacked by the robbers. The police official said the policemen fired back, and injured three of them but they still managed to escape.
The SHO said the injured robbers reached the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC). However, one of them, Aamir Thameem, had succumbed to his injuries on the way and the two others escaped from the hospital.
The police official said the police team, which was chasing the criminals, also arrived at the JPMC and took the body into custody.
When the hospital staff told them about the two other injured men, who also came for treatment, the police followed and arrested both of them.
The SHO said the injured men claimed they were attacked by Awami National Party activists, but a witness they had looted identified them.
He said investigation is under way and the Gulistan-e-Jauhar police have registered case No 99/12 under Sections 395, 353, 324/34 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of police officer Zulfiqar Mirani.
In response to the killing, STPP activists staged a sit-in at Safoora Goth Chowk. They blocked the University Road and burnt tyres. Later, the police reached the spot and dispersed the crowd.
However, STPP activists again blocked the University Road at night. Again, a heavy contingent of police and Pakistan Rangers had to disperse the mob.
STPP chief Qadir Magsi termed the killing of Aamir Thameem an extra-judicial murder and rejected the claim that the victim was a robber.
He claimed the injured men told him they were headed for Jauhar Morr on a motorcycle when the police party signalled them to stop near Munawar Chowrangi for pillion riding.
However, when they did not stop, the police opened fire at them.
“The STPP will hold a press briefing today [Thursday] to inform journalists about the extra-judicial murder,” Magsi added.
