A token strike of the traders against the criminal elements failed to convince the law enforcement agencies (LEAs) to make strict security measures as over a dozen of armed pillion riders looted valuables worth over a half million rupees from some 12 shopkeepers of Shershah scrap market in a broad daylight on Wednesday.
According to details, over a dozen of unknown armed robbers riding on eight motorbikes entered the country's largest scrap market and snatched valuables worth over Rs 0.6 million from 12 shopkeepers. The robbers completed their operation within no time and managed to escape from the scene without any hindrance.
After the incident, hundreds of shopkeepers of the market marched through the street and chanted slogans against the law enforcement agencies. The demonstrators raised questions over the performance of LEAs saying that it has completely failed to maintain peace in the country's financial hub.
They said that although the business fraternity was facing severe security problems, the authorities concerned had failed to evolve comprehensive strategy to deal with the criminals. When contacted Muhammad Zahid, President Anjuman-e-Shersha Scrap Market, confirmed that over a dozen armed men, riding on bikes (without number plates), committed daylight robbery, leaving the traders in a state of shock.
He said that the businessmen, who are already struggling with business challenges due to unfriendly polices of the government, are now facing serious life-threats from the criminal elements. The authorities concerned on the other hand are not paying any heed to this issue, he added.
However, DSP Qaiser Ali Shah dispelled the impression that over a dozen of armed robbers looted 12 shops of Shersha scrap market, saying that only a single shop was robbed while 10 pedestrians were deprived of their valuables. "We are investigating the matter and hopefully the culprits will be nabbed, shortly," he said. Moreover, he said the department is presently striving to evolve a flawless strategy to avert such incidents in future. He added that the Sindh government has also constituted an Anti-Extortion Committee (AEC) to resolve the grievances of the business community.