Police failure to arrest suspects sparks protest

Shutter-down strike observed in Chichawatni against lack of progress in arrest of accused

CHICHAWATNI:

Traders staged protests and observed a complete shutter-down strike, following a lack of progress in the finding the suspects behind a double murder.

Three suspects had allegedly shot and killed two youths, Abdul Wahab Rahmani and Usman Jutt, in broad daylight earlier this week. Rao Zubair Aslam Advocate, founder and chairman of Tehreek-e-Ihsas Pakistan, expressed solidarity with the families of the victims and gave a 24-hour ultimatum to police to arrest the accused. Over 60 hours passed since the incident, with police being nowhere near finding the killers.

Tehreek-e-Ihsas organised a shutter-down strike and protest demonstrations in the city. All political, social and religious organizations in the city, including the Bar Association, declared their unconditional support for the protest.

After failing to arrest the accused, police detained over 15 central officials and activists, including Aslam, to shut down the protests. Chichawatni Bar Association termed the arrests “police terrorism” and barred the entry of police officers in Tehsil Kachehari. Protesters chanted slogans against the police and staged a sit-in in front of the DSP's office.

After successful negotiations with a delegation of lawyers, led by Bar Association President Chaudhry Sajjad Ahmed Gujjar Advocate, police released the detainees.

Heirs of the slain staged a separate sit-in at Palace Chowk and burnt tires. The protest blocked roads and long queues of vehicles could be observed.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2022.