People involved in rioting, vandalism and burning a police mobile during a violent anti-canals protest on Sunday have been identified via video footage, a police spokesperson said on Monday.
At least 221 have been booked in separate FIRs for attacking police, disturbing peace and rioting.
Clashes broke out between police and protesters during a demonstration against the construction of canals on the Indus River, held on Link Road, National Highway on Sunday.
When police officers approached the demonstrators to negotiate, the crowd turned violent and attacked them. Enraged protesters damaged police vehicles and set a mobile police van on fire. Several officers were injured in the confrontation.
In response, two FIRs were registered at the Steel Town police station and one at the Bin Qasim Town police station against protesters, including lawyers and members of nationalist parties. The FIRs name 21 individuals and list over 200 unidentified persons accused of attacking police, damaging and burning official vehicles, and injuring officers.
Violence, looting mar protest rally
A protest rally was held near Mausmiyat Scheme 33 on Sunday to express solidarity with ongoing demonstrations by lawyers and nationalist parties across the province, who oppose the construction of canals on the Indus River. However, the rally turned violent, and several shops were looted under the guise of the protest.
CCTV footage has surfaced showing protesters armed with sticks causing chaos and looting shops. Citizens and shopkeepers were reportedly beaten with sticks outside their stores.
One video shows a woman in a burqa running away with a baby girl in her arms. Throughout the ordeal, police were noticeably absent, a gap in law enforcement that the unruly protesters exploited.
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