KARACHI: Rangers have detained four Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) London activists trying to hoist their party flag and write slogans at the Liaquat Ali Khan Chowk formerly known as Mukka Chowk.
The party workers turned violent as the two MQM chapters, London and Pakistan, gathered on Friday to remember their martyrs in Azizabad, where the now sealed MQM headquarters were located.
A footage showed MQM London workers climbing on top of the monument and hoisting the flag while Rangers personnel pointed guns at them.
Police and Rangers baton charged to disperse workers who raised party slogans. Additional contingents of Rangers, police and commandos were called in as the situation deteriorated.
No MQM London leader was present at the site to pacify the emotionally charged workers.
Earlier, Rangers stopped workers from visiting the Yadgar-e-Shuhada, but later only women and elderly were allowed inside.
The atmosphere at the venue was tense since morning, as the two factions sat opposite each other to read Quran and recite Fateha.
A large number of police and Rangers had gathered at the venue.
The area has been closed for traffic, and adjacent areas are in a traffic mess.
