NADRA terminations: Police nab 25 for pelting stones during ‘peaceful’ protest

Protesters claim they were non-violent, police say three officials injured.

ISLAMABAD:

The City police on Tuesday arrested dozens of former National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) contract employees during a protest demonstration against their termination from service.

Over 300 protesters from different parts of the country assembled under the NADRA Employees Welfare Association (NEWA) umbrella in front of NADRA headquarters in Sector G-5 at around 3pm. Demanding reinstatement, they were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the government.

The peaceful protest turned violent when the protesters started pelting stones at the police and held some NADRA officers hostage, said a police official. To counter this the police had to resort to baton charging and tear gassing, he added.

Police said around 25 protesters were subsequently arrested. “At least three police officials were injured after they were hit by stones,” another police official said.

The nabbed men were booked for clashing with the police and taking NADRA officers hostage and will be produced before a court on Wednesday.

During the protest, the road was blocked for three hours as the police and protesters continued to play hide and seek. Later, some of the protesters showed up in front of the National Press Club (NPC) and had been continuing their protest till the filing of the story.

“Is this democracy, where police baton charge and use tear gas on peaceful protesters,’’ said Adnan Khan, one of the protesters.

He added, “We have been protesting against the terminations since the last month, but the government is not paying heed to our demands.”

Another protester Hafeez Hussain said, “Despite promises from high ups to make us permanent, no practical steps have been taken.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 21^st, 2012.