Mina, which usually remains empty until Haj, is a popular hideout for overstayers who take refuge there fearing arrest in Makkah.
According to police, the well-built 30-year-old man called Qaid had established himself as a local gangster and ran a racket finding overstayers jobs in exchange for cash. He was also known to trouble anyone who came in his way or ventured into his business patch.
However, on Sunday five Pakistanis met Qaid close to the Jamrat Bridge and asked him to stop bothering them. Qaid, who was drunk at the time, attacked the men with an ax, slicing off one of the men’s nose and injuring his eye. A second was hit in the head.
Maj. Abdul Mohsen Al-Maiman, spokesman for Makkah police, said police were called to Mina and the five Pakistanis were taken to hospital. Qaid was later arrested in the evening.
Al-Maiman added that Qaid is currently in police custody and will be brought before a court once investigations are over.
