KARACHI: Rangers detained four activists of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM)-London as they tried to hoist their party flag and write slogans at the Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk formerly known as Mukka Chowk.
Party workers turned violent as the two MQM chapters, London and Pakistan, gathered on Friday to remember their martyrs in Azizabad, where the now sealed MQM headquarters were located.
Video footage showed MQM London workers climbing on top of the monument and hoisting the flag while Rangers personnel pointed guns at them.
Police and Rangers baton charged to disperse workers who raised party slogans. Additional contingents of Rangers, police and commandos were called in as the situation deteriorated.
Rangers’ official Brigadier Naseem, who was present at the clash site, said that the workers were holding Quran Khuwani at the roadside which was creating problems for citizens. “We will not allow them to use the holy Quran for political purpose. We are trying to maintain peace. We will not allow people to rebel,” he asserted.
No MQM London leader was present at the site to pacify the emotionally charged workers. An ambulance also got stuck in the area due to the ruckus.
Earlier, Rangers stopped workers from visiting the Yadgar-e-Shuhada, but later only women and elderly were allowed inside.
The atmosphere at the venue was tense since morning, as the two factions sat opposite each other to read Quran and recite Fateha. A large number of police and Rangers had gathered at the venue.
The area has been closed for traffic, and adjacent areas are in a traffic mess.
Police also stopped MQM-London workers from going to Pakka Qila in Hyderabad. The emotionally-charged workers started chanting slogans in protest.
The situation became tense when a scuffle broke between MQM London workers and police.
