Daily Times

KARACHI: Around five workers of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-London (MQM-L) were taken into custody by paramilitary troops as what the workers came face-to-face with Rangers and police personnel at the Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk – formerly known as Mukka Chowk – in the Azizabad neighbourhood on Friday.

The situation turned violent and law enforcers arrested the party workers shortly after they hoisted the flags and shouted slogans in favour of party’s London-based founder Altaf Hussain as well as they tried to visit the Yadgar-e-Shuhada in the locality.

A large contingent of the security personnel including ladies police were deployed on the routes leading towards the Liaquat Chowk and the Yadgar-e-Shuhada to prevent workers of the MQM-London from entering the place. The workers had gathered earlier during the day and held Quran Khawani for the departed souls.

Afterwards, as the large number of the workers started to advance towards the Yadgaar, the security personnel stopped them from doing so. A scuffle between the law enforcers and the party activists also occurred and the police charged the protesters with batons. However, the situation returned to normal following the negotiations. A delegation of female workers was allowed to go from the Liaquat Chowk to the Yadgar-e-Shuhada to place floral wreath at the site.