Davis release: 15 protesters, 4 policemen injured in clashes

Activists from some political parties took to streets in protest against the release of US national Raymond Davis.

LAHORE:

Activists from some political parties took to streets on Wednesday in protest against the release of US national Raymond Davis following a diyat settlement with the families of the two youths killed in the Qurtaba Chowk incident on January 27.

At least 15 protestors and four police officials including the local SHO were injured in clashes in front of the US consulate as charged protestors tried to force entry into the consulate building. Two police vans and three other cars were damaged.

The police used baton-charge to keep the protestors away from the building. The protestors responded by throwing stones and bricks at the police. Some also threw burning torches at police officials.

Egerton Road remained closed to traffic for several hours on account of the showdown.

Earlier, protesters chanted slogans against the government for releasing Davis.

PTI central vice president Ijaz Ahmed Chaudhry and JI Lahore amir Ameer-ul-Azeem addressed the protestors.

Ijaz Ahemd Chaudhry said the release had raised many questions about the sovereignty of the country. “This will pave the way for the Americans to kill anyone in Pakistan with impunity,” he said.

He said his party would observe Black Day on Friday (tomorrow) and organise rallies all over the country.

Ameer-ul-Azeem blamed the provincial government for Davis’s release. He said the government had given priority to its relationship with the US over the rights of its citizens.

Azeem said Davis was clearly a US spy who was caught carrying illegal weapons. “How can the government let the man go free?” he asked.

Sajjadur Rehman, elder brother of Ebadur Rehman, was also present at the protest. He told The Express Tribune that he had not been offered a settlement nor was he going to accept one, if an offer came. He said he would fight to avenge his brother. He said the government should have ensured justice to the bereaved families instead of securing the release of the accused.

He said he had lost trust in the federal as well as the provincial government because politicians only cared about their interests and not about the people.

Rehman said he would soon announce plans for a long march in protest against the release. He said the government should disclose what led to the release so that the people could find out who was to be blamed for the ‘settlement’.

He said Faizan’s family might have reached a bargain but he would not step back from his demand for justice for his brother.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2011.