35 shops set on fire in Haveli revenge attacks

Violence erupts in Palangi village where supporters of PML-N candidate and PPP activists clashed

MUZAFFARABAD: Tensions flared in the Haveli district of Azad Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday after bloody clashes between PML-N and PPP activists a day earlier.

So far two persons have lost their lives and seven others -- including the PML-N candidate for an AJK Legislative Assembly seat -- injured in armed clashes between the two groups.



The violence erupted in Palangi village where supporters of the PML-N candidate, Chaudhry Mohammad Aziz, and PPP activists clashed after an exchange of slogans. Later, similar incidents took place in Bugdar and other villages.

According to police, PML-N supporters set some 35 shops belonging to PPP loyalists on fire to avenge the killing of their workers in Bugdar. The deceased identified as Qamar Din and Chaudhry Younas were laid to rest in their ancestral graveyard.

No commercial activity could take place in the Haveli district and its adjoining areas due to the prevailing tense situation. The local administration has called in additional police force from other districts to maintain peace in the area.



More than 300 policemen have been deployed in the area to ensure peace and security in the district.

Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner of AJK Justice Mustafa Mughal asked the Haveli deputy commissioner to submit a report of the killings and post-clash situation in the area.

Police in Forward Kahuta have registered an attempt to murder case against Electricity Minister Faisal Rathore, PPP candidate from LA-16 (Haveli) Tariq Saeed and a dozen other PPP workers. However, no arrest has been made so far.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 11^th, 2016.