Voicing discontent: Mansehra DPO’s transfer order fuels outrage
Series of protests held to denounce provincial govt’s decision.
Locals unwilling let go off an honest official. After Friday prayers, traders, transporters and representatives of different political parties, civil society organisations along with lawyers held yet another protest at Main Chowk. PHOTO: EXPRESS
MANSEHRA:
Unmoved by the protest of local traders and political workers, the provincial government on Thursday evening ordered DI Khan DPO Khurram Rasheed to move to Mansehra and take over charge from DPO Abdul Ghafoor Afridi.
The move sparked unrest in the city as protesters urged residents to block the Karakoram Highway (KKH) near Mansehra Bypass through announcements in local mosques after Isha prayers.
Consequently, an angry mob of protesters vandalised a Suzuki van when its driver tried to cross the blockade of heavy stones and burnt tyres on the thoroughfare.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against the provincial government and Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, who they accused of conspiring to create law and order problems in the district. They also vowed not to allow the new DPO to assume charge.
Later, outgoing DPO Abdul Ghafoor Afridi tried to reason with the protesters and convinced them to lift the blockade at around 2am on Friday.
However, a fresh wave of dissent arose when Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) inspector general of police summoned DPO Afridi to Peshawar early Friday morning.
Locals again blocked KKH along with entry and exit points of the city, bringing everyday activities to a standstill. Shopkeepers observed a partial shutter-down strike, while transporters also kept their vehicles off the road.
The demonstrators then proceeded to lay siege to the DPO and DC offices. Heavy contingents of police from Haripur, Abbottabad and other districts were called in to prevent any untoward incident, but were hesitant to use any force.
After Friday prayers, traders, transporters and representatives of different political parties, civil society organisations along with lawyers held yet another protest at Main Chowk, announcing to observe a black day on October 13 when Chief Minister Pervez Khattak will visit the area. They urged to keep shutters down and transport vehicles off the road in solidarity with protesters.
They also threatened to stage a protest outside the provincial assembly in Peshawar if the transfer order of DPO Afridi is not revoked.
Anjuman Tajran President Haji Haroon, Hafiz Ehjaz, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Tariq Sherazi and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Babar Salim Swati were among those who addressed protesters on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2013.
Unmoved by the protest of local traders and political workers, the provincial government on Thursday evening ordered DI Khan DPO Khurram Rasheed to move to Mansehra and take over charge from DPO Abdul Ghafoor Afridi.
The move sparked unrest in the city as protesters urged residents to block the Karakoram Highway (KKH) near Mansehra Bypass through announcements in local mosques after Isha prayers.
Consequently, an angry mob of protesters vandalised a Suzuki van when its driver tried to cross the blockade of heavy stones and burnt tyres on the thoroughfare.
The demonstrators chanted slogans against the provincial government and Aftab Ahmed Sherpao, who they accused of conspiring to create law and order problems in the district. They also vowed not to allow the new DPO to assume charge.
Later, outgoing DPO Abdul Ghafoor Afridi tried to reason with the protesters and convinced them to lift the blockade at around 2am on Friday.
However, a fresh wave of dissent arose when Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) inspector general of police summoned DPO Afridi to Peshawar early Friday morning.
Locals again blocked KKH along with entry and exit points of the city, bringing everyday activities to a standstill. Shopkeepers observed a partial shutter-down strike, while transporters also kept their vehicles off the road.
The demonstrators then proceeded to lay siege to the DPO and DC offices. Heavy contingents of police from Haripur, Abbottabad and other districts were called in to prevent any untoward incident, but were hesitant to use any force.
After Friday prayers, traders, transporters and representatives of different political parties, civil society organisations along with lawyers held yet another protest at Main Chowk, announcing to observe a black day on October 13 when Chief Minister Pervez Khattak will visit the area. They urged to keep shutters down and transport vehicles off the road in solidarity with protesters.
They also threatened to stage a protest outside the provincial assembly in Peshawar if the transfer order of DPO Afridi is not revoked.
Anjuman Tajran President Haji Haroon, Hafiz Ehjaz, Jamaat-e-Islami’s Tariq Sherazi and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s Babar Salim Swati were among those who addressed protesters on the occasion.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 12th, 2013.