Bad tippers: Over ‘slow service’, black coats attempt to storm eatery in park

Restaurant employees blamed lawyers for misbehaving with them.

RAWALPINDI:

Hundreds of lawyers stormed Jinnah Park on Wednesday in protest against the alleged mistreatment of two of their colleagues at Diva’s restaurant — located within the park’s premises — in Rawalpindi. 

The lawyers, armed with sticks, tried to attack the restaurant, prompting park administration officials to fire warning shots in the air.

The infuriated lawyers broke flower pots and window panes in addition to manhandling the park’s gatekeepers.

The firing created panic among women and children, several of whom were injured during the incident.

A police contingent eventually reached the site and controlled the situation.

Talking to The Express Tribune, a waiter at the restaurant said two lawyers arrived there late on Tuesday night for a meal.

“They were drunk, gave orders for dinner and after five minutes started using indecent language,” he said before adding that the lawyers started beating staff when the latter ordered them to leave the restaurant.

The waiter said employees retaliated after which a scuffle broke out.

Mujeebur Rahman, one of the lawyers present that night, rejected the claim but didn’t provide further details when probed.

Civil Lines police Sub-Inspector Awais confirmed that six restaurant staff had been arrested after FIR’s were lodged against them.

This was the third such incident involving lawyers.

In the first incident, senior lawyers were beaten by Rawalpindi Cantonment Board employees after using colourful language.

During the second incident, which took place two weeks ago, army officials manhandled lawyers because the latter used abusive language after being prevented from using a road reserved exclusively for VIP persons.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2013.