Ownership dispute: Three injured in fight between TMA and shopkeepers

Brawl causes traffic jam on Circular Road

DI KHAN: Three persons were injured in a fight between workers of DI Khan Tehsil Municipal Administration and shopkeepers. A police official confirmed the fight arose over ownership of shops in DI Khan on Thursday.

An official of DI Khan TMA, Muhammad Ramzan, and Building Inspector Khurshid Ahmad went to inspect shops near Shobra Chowk in Saddar Bazaar, DI Khan. This agitated the shopkeepers who went into an exchange of harsh words with the inspectors. Subsequently, a brawl arose, injuring three people.

The injured were rushed to District Headquarters and Teaching Hospital DI Khan.

The issue arose when TMA claimed ownership of the shops while the shopkeepers denied it.

After the incident, the shopkeepers of Saddar Baazar held a protest. They blocked Circular Road by keeping materials from the shop on the route, causing a traffic jam.

According to SHO of Cantt police station in DI Khan, “Muhammad Adnan, along with other police personnel, rushed to the scene and dispersed the protesters.” He added the road was then opened for commuters.

“Both the parties — TMA employees and shopkeepers — have lodged FIRs against each other in Cantt Police Station.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2016.