SUKKUR: The Sukkur police on Saturday reportedly registered a first information report (FIR) on terrorism charges against scores of flood-affected people for protesting during PM’s visit to Sukkur.
The Police claimed they were attacking police personnel, pelting vehicles with stones, damaging public and private property outside a relief camp during the visit of the prime minister and foreign minister on Friday.
PM Shehbaz Sharif along with Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other ministers visited Sukkur district to assess the flood situation.
During his visit to a camp set up near BA College, rain-affected families from different areas blocked some roads against the administration’s failure to drain out stagnant rainwater.
According to a police spokesperson, when officials were discharging their duty outside the camp, some rioters, including women, blocked the main road, creating a law and order situation and inciting the flood-affected families against the officials. He claimed rioters also smashed windshields of vehicles as a result of which traffic flow remained suspended for eight hours.
However, the people said that police have lodged a “fake” FIR against the protesters, who only wanted to meet the prime minister and foreign minister to bring to their notice that they had not been provided relief material such as food, tents, mosquito nets, beds and other resources.
Politicians, civil society and people reacted strongly to the government’s coldhearted behavior toward the victims of the devastating floods.
PTI leader Dr. Shireen Mazari termed it a shameful act. While, one tweep wrote “Sindh police filed an FIR against flood victims protested in Sukkur calling them villains. Don’t U [you] feel fear while filing an FIR on these disastrous people? Seeing @CMShehbaz if they continue to shout slogans of”Thief, Thief” even in this devastated state then think how cruel you’re?”
Shameless to the core. A Crime Minister who cannot accept people protesting for their rights. Victimising poor flood affectees. Kuch sharam karo Imported govt! https://t.co/mchPKlZFQd
— Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) August 27, 2022
Sindh police filed an FIR against flood victims protested in Sukkur calling them villains.Don’t U feel fear while filing an FIR on these disastrous people?Seeing @CMShehbaz if they continue to shout slogans of”Thief,Thief”even in this devastated state then think how cruel you’re? pic.twitter.com/IhFs79hqeu
— Javeria Abbasi (@JaveriaMAbasi) August 27, 2022
“This govt just filed FIR’s against flood victims from Sukkur who protested against PM and his govt for their inaction. I have no words.” Said another netizen.
This govt just filed FIR’s against flood victims from Sukkur who protested against PM and his govt for their inaction. I have no words.
— Saleeha (@saleeha4) August 27, 2022
Another twitter user asked if the flood affected people have the right to protest.
So it’s not just the journalists and PTI leaders, now flood victims are labeled sharpasand and filing FIR against them just because they raised their voices. They lost everything because of this corrupt incompetent Sindh govt and they can’t even protest? #FloodsInPakistan pic.twitter.com/xHWgZHuQQt
— BiryaniEater (@ZohaSSS14) August 27, 2022
