Traders and shopkeepers from MA Jinnah Road, various markets in Saddar, Burns Road and adjoining areas blocked MA Jinnah Road on Thursday, bringing traffic to a standstill for over three hours during which time enraged merchants protested against continued threats from the extortionist mafiaThe frustrated protesters burnt tyres, chanted slogans against the provincial government as well as law enforcers and demanded that they be protected from the mafia.They also warned that if the trading community continued receiving threats from the ‘Bhatta’ mafia’, they would continue protesting by keeping their shops and markets closed over a prolonged period of time and taking to the streets in order to apply pressure on the government to prevent traders and shopkeepers from falling prey to criminal elements.
Angry protesters told the media that they had received “slips” from the mafia making astonishing monetary demands that varied from Rs100,000 to Rs1,000,000 depending on the nature of the respective business.They added that when the shop owners refused to pay these staggering amounts to the extortionists, armed men came to their shops on several instances threatening the lives of defaulters in broad daylight. They even threatened to burn down their businesses.
“In these circumstances and the subsequent fear they instill, we are forced to close down our shops and take to streets. Our only options are that we either close down our businesses permanently and relocate somewhere else or start paying the “Bhatta” mafia in order to protect ourselves from harm,” said Rafiq, an enraged shopkeeper.Protesters complained that shopkeepers constantly live in fear, as they frequently receive threats to pay extortion money or face the consequences. They added that despite reporting these incidents to the police and other concerned authorities several times, the government has failed to provide security to shopkeepers and traders who cannot otherwise escape the clutches of the bullying mafia. The protest on MA Jinnah Road caused a severe traffic jam in Saddar and its adjoining streets, Jahangir Road, New MA Jinnah Road as well as Nishtar Road.Traffic police were rendered helpless, as a large number of vehicles were chock-a-block on these roads for hours, including ambulances carrying patients who required emergency medical attention.
Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were rushed to the scene to control the law and order situation; however, they did not disrupt the protest or attempt to clear the city’s busiest artery.Several MPAs and senior police officials tried to negotiate with the protesters and after giving their assurances, shopkeepers and traders decided to call off their protest, but warned that if the “Bhatta” mafia continued to extort money from them and make threats, they will resort to more intense protests.
The president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) also supported the protesters and announced a strike on April 5 if the demands of the trading community were not met.The traders and shopkeepers who took part in the protest hailed from localities like the Tyre Market, Orangzaib Market, Akbar Market and Jamia Cloth Market, Burns Road, businesses near Tibet Center and other adjoining markets.
Sourced from FLARE via http://www.thenews.com.pk by Daran Oswyn Jones.
Traders and shopkeepers from MA Jinnah Road, various markets in Saddar, Burns Road and adjoining areas blocked MA Jinnah Road on Thursday, bringing traffic to a standstill for over three hours during which time enraged merchants protested against continued threats from the extortionist mafia
The frustrated protesters burnt tyres, chanted slogans against the provincial government as well as law enforcers and demanded that they be protected from the mafia.
They also warned that if the trading community continued receiving threats from the ‘Bhatta’ mafia’, they would continue protesting by keeping their shops and markets closed over a prolonged period of time and taking to the streets in order to apply pressure on the government to prevent traders and shopkeepers from falling prey to criminal elements.
Angry protesters told the media that they had received “slips” from the mafia making astonishing monetary demands that varied from Rs100,000 to Rs1,000,000 depending on the nature of the respective business.
They added that when the shop owners refused to pay these staggering amounts to the extortionists, armed men came to their shops on several instances threatening the lives of defaulters in broad daylight. They even threatened to burn down their businesses.
“In these circumstances and the subsequent fear they instill, we are forced to close down our shops and take to streets. Our only options are that we either close down our businesses permanently and relocate somewhere else or start paying the “Bhatta” mafia in order to protect ourselves from harm,” said Rafiq, an enraged shopkeeper.
Protesters complained that shopkeepers constantly live in fear, as they frequently receive threats to pay extortion money or face the consequences. They added that despite reporting these incidents to the police and other concerned authorities several times, the government has failed to provide security to shopkeepers and traders who cannot otherwise escape the clutches of the bullying mafia. The protest on MA Jinnah Road caused a severe traffic jam in Saddar and its adjoining streets, Jahangir Road, New MA Jinnah Road as well as Nishtar Road.
Traffic police were rendered helpless, as a large number of vehicles were chock-a-block on these roads for hours, including ambulances carrying patients who required emergency medical attention.
Heavy contingents of police and Rangers were rushed to the scene to control the law and order situation; however, they did not disrupt the protest or attempt to clear the city’s busiest artery.
Several MPAs and senior police officials tried to negotiate with the protesters and after giving their assurances, shopkeepers and traders decided to call off their protest, but warned that if the “Bhatta” mafia continued to extort money from them and make threats, they will resort to more intense protests.
The president of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) also supported the protesters and announced a strike on April 5 if the demands of the trading community were not met.
The traders and shopkeepers who took part in the protest hailed from localities like the Tyre Market, Orangzaib Market, Akbar Market and Jamia Cloth Market, Burns Road, businesses near Tibet Center and other adjoining markets.
