Escalation: 19 injured as protesting villagers clash with police
Protesters from Hussain Khanwala village were marching towards Lahore.
Protesters from Hussain Khanwala village were marching towards Lahore. STOCK IMAGE
KASUR:
At least 19 people were injured on Tuesday in clashes with police and villagers in Kasur.
Dozens of residents of Hussain Khanwala village staged a protest demonstration against Ganda Singhwala police.
They said that the police had not taken action against the people who had raped several young men and video taped the assaults. They said the footage was later used to blackmail the victims. When the videos were released on the Internet two months ago, the chief minister had taken notice of the matter and directed police to take action against the gang. Police had then registered seven cases against 35 suspects.
The protesters said that Ganda Singhwala police were not taking any action against the men. They announced that they would march to Lahore and stage a protest sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly.
A heavy contingent of police surrounded the protesters to stop them from marching towards the provincial capital.At Dolivali bridge, some of the protesters attacked the police teams with stones and sticks. Police baton-charged them and used tear gas.
Fifteen policemen, including two DSPs and three SHOs, received injuries. Four of the protesters were also injured.
The protesters then resumed their march towards Lahore. Near Steel Bagh, an official delegation, consisting of the Sheikhupura DIG, the DCO, MPAs Haji Muhammad Safdar Ansar and Malik Ahmad Saeed, met the protesters. They assured them that the case will be investigated on merit. The protesters dispersed on receiving the assurance.
The Ganda Singhwala SHO has been suspended from service.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2015.
At least 19 people were injured on Tuesday in clashes with police and villagers in Kasur.
Dozens of residents of Hussain Khanwala village staged a protest demonstration against Ganda Singhwala police.
They said that the police had not taken action against the people who had raped several young men and video taped the assaults. They said the footage was later used to blackmail the victims. When the videos were released on the Internet two months ago, the chief minister had taken notice of the matter and directed police to take action against the gang. Police had then registered seven cases against 35 suspects.
The protesters said that Ganda Singhwala police were not taking any action against the men. They announced that they would march to Lahore and stage a protest sit-in in front of the Punjab Assembly.
A heavy contingent of police surrounded the protesters to stop them from marching towards the provincial capital.At Dolivali bridge, some of the protesters attacked the police teams with stones and sticks. Police baton-charged them and used tear gas.
Fifteen policemen, including two DSPs and three SHOs, received injuries. Four of the protesters were also injured.
The protesters then resumed their march towards Lahore. Near Steel Bagh, an official delegation, consisting of the Sheikhupura DIG, the DCO, MPAs Haji Muhammad Safdar Ansar and Malik Ahmad Saeed, met the protesters. They assured them that the case will be investigated on merit. The protesters dispersed on receiving the assurance.
The Ganda Singhwala SHO has been suspended from service.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 5th, 2015.