Two cops die as efforts to clear roads continue

Cases, arrests reported as CM vows to re-establish writ

LAHORE:

Life remained on a standstill in Lahore on Tuesday and a policeman died and over 95 people were injured as the protesting supporters of a party and the police continued confronting each other with batons, stones and even firearms at over 20 spots.

A police van and public and private property were also torched by the protesters in addition to reports of violence against commuters.

The Tehreek-e-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) also alleged casualties among its supporters and vowed to continue the protests till the acceptance of its demands.

The police registered cases against the party's leader Saad Rizvi and and a large number of activists in various police stations of the city under the Anti-Terrorism Act, Pandemic Act and other sections of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

Rizvi was also booked along with other leaders and activists for murder of Constable Muhammad Afzal in Shahdara.

Two policemen suffered bullet injuries at Chung. Over 40 policemen were left injured in the clashes in the city.

Police resorted to tear gas shelling and baton charge to disperse the protesters.

At a few points, the police succeeded in clearing the roads intermittently for traffic.

They also arrested a number of activists of the protesting group.

Punjab Law Minister Raja Basharat chaired a meeting to devise a strategy to deal with the law and order situation. He asked the law enforcement agencies to clear the roads of the protesters and also register cases against those violating the law. He also conveyed the instructions of Chief Minister Usman Buzdar to the administration.

The chief minister directed the administration, as well as the police, to take indiscriminate action against the violators of law and made it clear that no compromise would be made on the writ of the state and the supremacy of law.

He stressed that no one would be allowed to disrupt routine life.

Most of the roads had been reopened due to timely action of police and the administration and the monitoring would continue till the complete restoration of normalcy, he added.

A spokesperson said Lahore police carried out a grand flag march in different areas of the city to instil confidence and a sense of security among the citizens. Capital City Police Officer Ghulam Mahmood Dogar led the flag march whereas other senior officers also participated in it.

Contingents of Pakistan Rangers were part of the flag march.

It started from District Police Lines Qila Gujjar Singh, went through different important roads and areas of the city including Railway Station, Ek Moriya Bridge, Greater Iqbal Park, Azadi Flyover, Ravi Road, Bhatti Chowk, Outfall Road, Bund Road, Motorway, Thokar Niaz Baig, Canal Road, Jail Road and The Mall Road.

Sources shared that an operation to clear the roads with assistance was under consideration by the authorities and heavy contingents of police had been called in for the purpose.

Meanwhile, at least 38 people were arrested in Pakpattan after cases were registered against 576 protesters on charges of attempted murder, interference in official work and under the maintenance of public order law. government, 16 MPOs and other serious provisions.

In Chishtian, a case was registered against 200 protesters for throwing stones at police and injuring three officials.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 14^th, 2021.