Tenants long march: Police violence against marchers condemned

HRCP demands government deal with tenants in accordance with law.


Express March 31, 2011

LAHORE:


The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has raised concerns over the use of force and registration of terrorism cases against tenants in Khanewal on Monday.


The tenants had organised a protest rally planning to march up to the Punjab Assembly in support of their demand for ownership rights of the lands they claimed their families had been tilling for over a hundred years.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the commission condemned the provincial administration for baton charging the protesting tenants, including women and children, and firing tear gas shells to stop them from pressing their demands.

It regretted that several protestors were reported missing following the police action. It mentioned that police were reported to have damaged and seized several motorcycles and tractors used by the tenants.

The HRCP demanded that the authorities must produce in courts the tenants they intend to bring charges against and release the rest.

Also, it said that the families of the detained tenants and the tenants’ organisations concerned must immediately be informed about their location.

The HRCP acknowledged that some policemen were injured in the clash, but pointed out that it was the administration that resorted to violence.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 31st, 2011.

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