KARACHI, April 12: The Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) on Friday called the ongoing raids and search by Rangers and police as state-operation against a particular community just weeks before the general elections.

“We support action against crimes and criminals but for the past few weeks an unannounced state operation is going on,” said an MQM coordination committee statement.

“A few days ago in Malir, security officials raided the house of renowned poetess Gulnar Afreen and arrested her two nephews after brutal torture. They also manhandled women during the raid.”

It said for the past few weeks the law-enforcement agencies had been cordoning off peaceful areas in the name of targeted operation but the  localities inhabited mostly by “Mohajir” (Urdu-speaking) community were being targeted. Dozens of innocent Karachiites picked up from areas of Korangi, Malir, Landhi, PIB Colony, Surjani Town, Ranchhore Line and Liaquatabad, had been tortured at ‘government torture cells’, said the statement.

“We are justify to ask why only Mohajir neighbourhoods? The recent acts of the law-enforcement agencies are not only attempts to harass people but also a move to keep them away from electoral process.”