CS Sindh Asif Haider Shah condemns attack on polio team, while verbal clashes escalate into brawls across several locations, resulting in FIRs and arrests, as tensions spiral uncontrollably
By Aziz Khatri
KARACHI: The fourth day of ongoing NIDs was the most volatile day as polio vaccination teams in Karachi have faced violent attacks in different districts caused arrests of total 15 people in polio related incidents, highlighting the dangers and challenges health workers endure in their ongoing battle to eradicate the disease. Most of the incidents initiated after the parents or caregivers refused to vaccinate their children as the polio authorities forced them for the same. The verbal tension raised to brawl at most of the places and ended up with FIRs and arrested of the culprits.
In Gulzar-e-Hijri, Chief Secretary Sindh Asif Haider Shah condemned the attack on polio team and directed the Inspector General of Sindh Police to ensure swift justice. A case was registered under charges including terrorism, and 12 individuals were arrested. Chief Secretary Shah stressed the need for heightened security for polio teams, reaffirming the government’s commitment to safeguarding the health workers.
According to details, in Sachal Town, members of the Mehsud tribe attacked a polio team in Bakkhar Goth area. The confrontation, which escalated from a verbal dispute into a violent altercation, led to the intervention of police forces assigned to protect the health workers. Among those targeted were District Health Officer (DHO) East Zahid Solangi, DDPO Dr. Wasif, and CCO Usaid. Despite their efforts to vaccinate children, a group of at least 12 individuals from the Mehsud community assaulted the officials, forcing a police rescue operation.
In the aftermath, law enforcement initially arrested three perpetrators and later on identification arrested remaining nine culprits. The Deputy Commissioner East called for strict legal action, emphasizing that violence against healthcare workers would not be tolerated.
In another incident, three individuals in SITE Town attacked polio workers during a door-to-door vaccination drive. The suspects, identified as Abid Afridi, Amir Afridi, and Hasnain Afridi, physically assaulted workers Furqan and his sister, before misbehaving with a female Assistant Commissioner. The attack further exposed the hostile environment health teams face. The SITE Town administration took prompt action, and law enforcement arrested the suspects after the Assistant Commissioner filed a formal complaint.
