Metro Bus station wears a deserted look during protests in the city. PHOTO: INP
The protesters blocked all the entry and exit points of the city. Mall Road and Ferozpur Road also remained closed at different points as protesters blocked at least 25 points.
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Moreover, mobile phone and internet services remained suspended in the city. The blockades and sit-ins caused a lot of nuisance for the public as a large number of people remained stuck in traffic jams for hours. The blockades at entry and exit points of city also caused the scarcity of daily-use items.
The situation caused problems in terms of intercity movement. A number of families, who had left Lahore before the start of the agitation, remained stuck on main arteries of the city such as the motorway and GT Road. A local named Usman Chaudhry said he lived in Lahore and had gone to Toba Tek Singh to visit relatives. Meanwhile, the protests started and he had been unable to come back to Lahore since because public transport is completely off the roads. Another commuter, Ehtesham Akbar, said that he remained stuck in traffic for hours.
On Friday, clashes between police and protesters were also reported. At least 50 police officials from Lahore alone were reported to have sustained injuries. Similarly, a large number of protesters were also reported to be injured. However, their exact numbers were yet to be ascertained.
Police and law enforcement agencies were on high alert and on patrol in the city.
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Wardens of city traffic police were also on duty at different points and held diversions to maintain the flow of traffic. The blockades also led to a shortage of petrol in the city as long queues of motorists were seen at pumps. A number of petrol pumps remained shut due to the unavailability of petrol.
CM reviews situation
Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar has said ensuring a peaceful environment for citizens is the fundamental responsibility of the state. He assured the government is taking all steps to maintain the law and order situation in the province.
He was presiding over a meeting on Friday to review the security situation in the province. The meeting took a detailed review of the situation in the wake of recent circumstances and the participants reaffirmed their commitment to take all possible measures to protect the lives and properties of locals. The chief minister was also given a briefing about the security arrangements.
The chief minister said the supremacy of law should be ensured at every cost. “The prevailing circumstances necessitate unusual steps and the police department should make foolproof arrangements to maintain peace in the province.” He directed officials to provide security to important places and devise a proper plan.
Buzdar said there is a dire need to promote national unity and cohesion in society and people should play active role.
Law minister Raja Basharat, federal secretary (interior), chief secretary, IG police, DG Rangers, ACS (home) and others attended the meeting.
IGP holds meeting
In order to review the law and order situation in the province, a meeting was held under the chairmanship of Punjab Inspector General of Police Amjad Javed Saleemi at CPO Lahore on Friday. All senior officers of CPO and field officers attended the meeting.
The meeting reviewed the situation, both division and district-wise, and also decided that every person has the right to peaceful protests in favour of their demands.
However, he asserted that nobody would be allowed to take the law into their own hands. It was decided that violators will be dealt with strictly.
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Saleemi directed officers to keep vigilant about the situation and maintain constant liaison with the force and public representatives, religious scholars, notables and the general public. The aim was to ensure the law and order through the full cooperation of the public.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 3rd, 2018.
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