Deadly clash sparks highway protest

One man killed, brother hurt; three suspects arrested; six cops suspended

HARIPUR:

A young man was killed and his brother critically injured in a violent clash between two groups in the Panian area of Haripur on Tuesday, prompting a seven-hour blockade of the Hazara Motorway's Silk Route by residents demanding justice.

The deadly clash was triggered by a minor dispute over sitting outside a house.

The protest ended only after police assured demonstrators that action would be taken against the accused and officers allegedly involved in misconduct.

According to local sources, the altercation escalated into a violent confrontation in which one brother lost his life while the other sustained critical injuries. Family members and local residents alleged that police released the nominated suspects after accepting bribes, sparking widespread public outrage.

The victim's relatives, joined by residents of the area, blocked the Silk Route highway for nearly seven hours, demanding the immediate arrest of all suspects, an impartial investigation and action against police officials accused of negligence and corruption.

Following mounting public pressure, Haripur District Police Officer (DPO) Shafiullah Gandapur suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Panian Police Station along with five other police officials and ordered a departmental inquiry into the incident.

Police also confirmed the re-arrest of three nominated suspects after the protest began. According to local sources, a police official identified as Basharat was suspended and confined to the quarter guard over allegations of accepting a Rs10,000 bribe in connection with the case.

Late in the evening, PML-N MNA Babar Nawaz Khan held negotiations with the protesters. The sit-in ended after successful talks between police and demonstrators, and traffic on the Silk Route was restored.

Police said three of the 12 nominated suspects had been arrested, while efforts were under way to apprehend the remaining accused.

DPO Gandapur said disciplinary proceedings had been initiated against officials found negligent in the discharge of their duties. "The law is equal for everyone, and no one will be allowed to escape justice," he added.