Police, protesters clash during demonstration

Clash lasted for over 4 hours after protesters attempted to break into the factory they said was causing pollution.

FAISALABAD:

Violent clashes took place between Jhang Bazaar police and dozens of residents of Judgewala Road during a protest against a hosiery factory. 

The clash lasted for over four hours after the protesters attempted to break into the factory they said was causing pollution.

The police had arrived on the scene on the complaint of Muhammad Shoaib, manager of the factory. He accused 15 protesters of breaking into the factory and damaging several window panes and doors by pelting stones at them. Shoaib said some residents of the area had vandalised equipment during a demonstration last Wednesday. He said they had also tried to torch the factory.

The demonstration was held to protest leakage of ammonia gas from factory after an explosion in a boiler. The protesters said the factory management had yet to fix the leak that was polluting the environment in the nearby areas. The protesters dispersed after the police fired tear-gas shells at them.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 8^th, 2012.