KARACHI, Dec 1: Tension was high across the city on Monday as rioters killed another 12 people, among them a policeman, and torched several shops and houses in different areas on the third day of ethnic violence.

While the violence mainly hit the city’s western parts such as Orangi Town, Baldia Town and adjoining areas, the streets were mostly deserted by early evening, though some public and private vehicles were on the roads in the morning.

Witnesses said mobs continued to burn houses, shops and vehicles with law-enforcement personnel failing to contain the riot. People remained confined to their homes and there were reports that residents besieged in some areas were desperately trying to leave their homes and move to safe places.

The violence has led to a shortage of fruit and vegetables with supplies from the wholesale market near the violence-hit Sohrab Goth having been disrupted.

The authorities announced that all educational institutions in the city would remain closed also on Tuesday.

Police said they had beefed up security in the troubled areas.

Life remained paralysed in Orangi Town and fear of organised ethnic violence forced eviction of families from certain blocks and closure of small businesses, mostly owned by people from upcountry.

Heavy gunfire was heard across Raees Amrohvi Colony for several hours. Posts were set up in the colony and in Ittehad Town by gunmen.

Later, Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad called prominent people of the area and issued orders for setting up pickets of Rangers.

An assistant sub-inspector of police was gunned down in Landhi.

Police surgeon Dr Hamid Pariyar said six bodies were brought to the Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, four to the Civil Hospital and two to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital.