Eid Milad: 7 injured in firing during procession in Gujranwala

Sunni, Ahle Hadith groups accuse each other of starting clashes during procession in Kalar Abadi.

GUJRANWALA:

As many as seven people were injured in firing between two groups during an Eid Miladun Nabi (peace be upon him) procession organised in Kalar Abadi on Sunday.

One of the injured, Usman, was stated by doctors at Civil Hospital Gujranwala to be in a critical condition and referred to Lahore General Hospital. The rest were discharged after they were given first aid.

Two complaints have been registered over the incident at Baghbanpura police station.

The clashes were preceded allegedly by provocative slogans raised by some members of the procession organised by the Sunni Ittehad Council, Sunni Tehrik, and Sunni Force.

According to an FIR registered on the complaint of Rafiq Shabbir, a prayer leader at a mosque run by Ahle Hadith school, the slogan-chanting started when the procession was passing the house of Markazi Jamiat Ahle Hadith Gujranwala Amir Maulana Sadiq Attiq. He said bullets were shot and stones pelted at Ahle Hadith men who had asked the leaders of the procession to tone down their slogans and to pass the street quietly. Ahle Hadith men shot and threw stones at the procession in self defence, he added.

The complaint identified 36 people, including Faiq Afzal, Dr Ihsan, Usman and Mufti Muhammad Hussain Siddiqi, the SIC leader. It said they were joined by 200 unidentified men.

MJA Gujranwala amir and his men told the procession not to pass from in front of his house, leading to clashes between the two groups, stated the complaint filed by SIC leader Maulana Muhammad Hussain Siddiqi. He said stones and bricks were thrown at the procession from rooftops. He nominated 26 men including the MJA Gujranwala amir. Both FIRs are registered under Sections 324, 148 and 149 TB of the Pakistan Penal Code.

SHO Imran Abbas told The Express Tribune that police had arrested six men but refused to identify them. He said police were interrogating the suspects. FIR against seven in Orah village clashes

Clashes were also reported during Eid Milad processions in Naushehra Virkaan and Orah village.

An FIR registered against seven people belonging to the Ahle Hadith school at Saddar police station said the suspects threw stones at the procession when it was passing by Jamia Masjid Muhammadi.

In Naushehra Virkaan, a police team led by DSP (City) Muhammad Afzal was called to the scene to prevent the law and order situation from deteriorating.

Milad processions, naat recitation ceremonies 

Milad processions and naat recitation ceremonies were organised across the province to to mark the birthday of Holy Prophet (pbuh) on Sunday.

A  Millad Conference was held at Koobay Chak to commemorate the birthday of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him).

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan was the chief guest on the occasion. She said at a time the Muslim community was confronted with challenges of extremism and terrorism, there was a need to shun differences and work for unity.  She said Hazrat Muhammad had brought about a revolution and transformed the society. She said his teachings were as relevant today as they were in the seventh century Arabia.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 7^th, 2012.