Into the second day: Military troops patrol Abbottabad after parking clash escalates

40 arrested, cases registered against DSP, SHO

ABBOTABAD: Tension continued to grip Abbottabad on Thursday, a day after matters spiralled out of control over a parking dispute in Jhugiyan Bazaar. Criminal cases were registered against a DSP and SHO, at least 40 people were arrested and police and military patrolled the area to maintain peace. The bazaar is in the cantonment area.

Rival groups of Afghan nationals and locals occupied Murree Road at different points, blocking it for a second consecutive day. Business activities were at a complete standstill. Police and military troops patrolled the area intermittently and the protesters, though charged, avoided direct conflict with the military personnel who also kept to themselves.

Blocking a shop front

The clashes were triggered on Wednesday afternoon between locals and Afghan traders of the area. Police said Khiyali Khan, a local Afghan trader, and his four sons, including Raees Khan, allegedly assaulted Babar because he parked his high roof in front of the former’s shop.

The driver then reportedly called former union nazim and Pakistan Peoples Party’s district council candidate, Waseem Khan Jadoon, who also arrived on the scene.

Road rage

Protesters on Thursday shouted slogans against the local police, accusing them of being hand-in-glove with “Afghan drug lords” in Jhugiyan Bazaar. They protested the slaying of Naeem Khan and continued to block Murree Road till the filing of this report.

Law enforcers attempted negotiating and asked locals to clear the blockades on Murree Road. However, protesters demanded an operation against Afghan nationals in Jhugiyan Bazaar and asked that they be evicted from the area due to their alleged involvement in the illegal drugs and arms trade.

Mansehra Road near Supply Bazaar and Missile Chowk has also been blocked by protesters since Wednesday evening. Police diverted traffic to Kakul Road to facilitate commuters.

Both sides resorted to aerial firing, but no casualties were reported. However, a snooker parlour was set ablaze, forcing the police to resort to tear gas.

Later, according to Cantonment police, the protest was called off after assurances of action against the DSP, SHO and promises to take up Afghan repatriation with authorities.

FIRs

In his FIR lodged with Cantonment police, Jadoon stated he tried to reach a compromise between the two on Wednesday, but Khiyali and dozens of other Afghans assaulted him, his brother and supporters. He claimed their vehicles were damaged.

According to the report, Jadoon was on his way the same day to file a complaint with Cantonment DSP Khan Khel Khan when SHO Nawanshehr Javed Khan intercepted him with police contingents. Jadoon claimed Javed ordered his subordinates to open fire which left six of the PPP man’s supporters injured. He added Naeem Khan, a tailor, later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital.

On Jadoon’s complaint, the Cantonment police registered criminal cases against over 20 people including a DSP and the SHO under sections 302, 324, 148, 149 and 427 of the PPC. The DSP and SHO were later suspended by DIG Akhtar Hayat Gandapur.

Police registered cases against Waseem Khan Jadoon and over 20 others on the complaint of Khiyali Khan and Raees Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 22^nd, 2015.