6 JI workers arrested for allegedly burning motorcyles, tyres to obstruct traffic at Karachi's Korangi Crossing

KARACHI: Six workers of the Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) were arrested in Karachi on Wednesday on the accusation of setting motorcycles and tyres on fire at Korangi Crossing to block the roads, police said.

The development coincided with JI’s nationwide strike against the petroleum levy, which the party said was being observed in a peaceful manner.

In a statement, the party also seemed to distance itself from the burning of the two-wheelers and tyres, alleging that the government was resorting to “cheap tactics” to suppress its protest. Without naming anyone, the JI said “miscreants” were responsible for the Korangi Crossing incident.

Videos — said to be of the incident — were circulating on social media and showed burned remnants of two motorcycles, alongside burning tyres laid out in a row to obstruct a road. Cars and motorcycles, however, were seen continuing to drive around the burning tyres to cross the obstruction.

Korangi Senior Superintendent of Police Hussain Janwari said while speaking to Dawn that law enforcers had arrested six JI workers in connection with the incident.

According to him, the arrested party workers got two old motorcycles and some tyres from a junk dealer and “are said to have set them on fire at Korangi Crossing to block the traffic”.

He said police “controlled the situation” after reaching the site.

A first information report has been registered against the six suspects under the anti-terror law, he added.

Earlier, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office said Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah had taken notice of “unidentified people creating a law and order situation” in Korangi.

He directed that the matter be investigated immediately and “action be taken against miscreants without any discrimination”, the statement said.

“Individuals involved in setting motorcycles on fire at Korangi Crossing should be immediately arrested,” the statement quoted the CM as saying.

He also sought a report from the Sindh police chief on the incident, adding that “miscreants will not be allowed to destroy peace in the city”.

Meanwhile, the JI noted the arrest of its workers in Korangi in a statement and demanded their immediate release.

The party claimed that the traders were supporting their “struggle” and the government was trying to suppress the protest.