1st LD: 6 injured as protesters march toward French consulate in Pakistan's Karachi
Xinhua, January 16, 2015 Adjust font size:
At least six people were injured on Friday afternoon in clashes between police and protesters as the latter marched toward the French Consulate against the printing of blasphemous caricatures by French journal Charlie Hebdo in Pakistan's southern port city of Karachi, local media reported.
According to the reports, hundreds of people gathered at Teen Talwar area of the city to register their protest over the blasphemous cartoon disrespecting the Holy Prophet Muhammad by the French magazine.
The protest that was arranged by Islami Jamiat Talba, a student wing of religious-political party Jamat-e-Islami, turned violent when police stopped it from going to the building of the French Consulate in the city.
Police used baton charge, water cannons and fired tear gas shells to disperse the protesters. Police also used aerial firing after the marchers turned violent and threw stones at police.
At least three students, two policemen and a journalist were injured during the clashes.
According to the reports, some unknown gunmen opened fire at a group of media persons who were covering the protest that left one of them injured.
The injured were rushed to the hospital where all wounded were in stable condition except injured journalist who got a bullet into his chest.
It is not clear yet who opened fire as both police and protesters blamed each other for firing.
The protesters said they wanted to record their protest in front of the French Consulate peacefully, but police said a mob could not be allowed to reach in the sensitive area.
Following the clashes, extra contingent of police were called and security of the consulate was handed over to the Rangers, a paramilitary force.
On Friday, religious-political groups observed black day and carried out rallies in all major cities of the country against the Charlie Hebdo.
On Thursday, Pakistan Parliament passed a resolution strongly condemning the printing and reprinting of the blasphemous caricatures by the French journal, saying freedom of expression should not be misused to hurt public sentiments and religious beliefs.
It said "These are deliberate attempts to incite violence, create discord, widen misunderstandings among civilizations and thereby provide opportunities to the terrorist elements to capitalize on public sentiments." Endi