Karachi police book DHA residents for 'vandalism', issuing threats to CBC staff

(Karachi) Karachi police booked at least 22 residents of Defence Housing Authority who took part in a protest against incompetence of Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) officials some two days ago.

A case has been registered at Darakhshan police station against the protesters after CBC officials accused them of shouting slogans against the board, intruding in CBC building, vandalism and issuing threats to staff during the demonstration.

The police said the first information report (FIR) has been lodged under sections 34/506/146/148/353 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) that include charges of rioting and threatening, among others.

FIR registered against protesting residents of #DHAKARACHI for raising slogans “against CBC and state institutions”, “intruding into the CBC’s building”, “terrorising govt officials and personnel”, and “stopping relief work.” #DHACares pic.twitter.com/xEcezEvOUH

— Naimat Khan (@NKMalazai) September 2, 2020

On August 31, irate residents of Clifton and Defence areas lodged a protest outside the office of CBC over incompetence and negligence of the authorities to drain out rainwater accumulated on streets and lack of amenities.

The protesters said that the people living in the said areas pay millions in taxes but are still deprived of basic amenities.

They pointed out that an audit of the flood relief tax collected by the CBC be shared with them and called on the board's members to be held accountable for the lack of amenities provided to them over the years.

Apart from demanding an improvement in the sewerage system, they also asked the CBC to improve garbage collection in the area.

The irate residents maintained that the recent monsoon rains have exposed the poor performance of the Clifton board as rainwater could not be cleared from the roads.

The protesters demanded the chief executive officer of the CBC address them and listen to their grievances. They also demanded the CBC chief to resign. They warned the resident will not pay taxes in future if their demands are not met.