| Two policemen die, several injured as violence erupts near Yateem Khana Chowk | Security agencies put on high alert amid reports of full-fledged operation as first round of talks failed
LAHORE - Two police died and several others were wounded as violent clashes erupted between anti-riot police units and supporters of the banned Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore on Friday evening.
The clashes broke out when thousands of TLP members launched the ‘long march’ from the city towards the capital, Islamabad, and tried to remove security barriers. The protesters are demanding the government to release the leader of their outlawed party.
According to highly-placed sources, the first round of the talks between the provincial government and the TLP leaders failed. They also revealed the government is likely to re-launch a full-fledged operation against the workers and supporters of the banned religious outfit. The mobile phone service is most likely to be suspended in many of the country on early Saturday (today) while sensitive security agencies are put on high alert to maintain peace in the province.
In a statement, a Lahore Police Spokesperson identified two of the martyred policemen as Ayub and Khalid. Arif Ali Rana told reporters that two policemen were martyred and several others were injured during the violent clashes which took place near Yateem Khana Chowk on the Multan Road.
Several other policemen were also injured and taken to the hospital in critical condition, he said. “Protesters pelted police with stones and also hurled petrol bombs on officials,” he said, adding that officials tried to prevent them from vandalising and damaging public property.
Also, a clash took place between police and workers of the banned outfit near MAO College, where 10 personnel, including the station house officer (SHO), were injured. They were later shifted to a nearby hospital, the spokesperson said.
He said the policemen fired teargas shells when the TLP supporters attacked a police checkpoint. They had clashed with the police at several places in the city, he said. A TLP media coordinator, Saddam Bukhari, claimed that the police attacked the peaceful rally that was on its way to Islamabad.
The spokesperson claimed that at least 500 workers were seriously wounded while several others died.
Punjab CM on Friday afternoon announced that a committee comprising provincial Law Minister Raja Basharat and Prosecution Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin had been formed to negotiate with the proscribed group. The chief minister said that according to the Sunnah of Holy Prophet (PBUH), “we all need to work together for peace and harmony in the country”.
Usman Buzdar also offered condolences and prayed for the deceased officials. He assured their families that the provincial government stood with them in their time of grief. The chief minister also directed officials to take strict action against those responsible for the incident. “Rule of law must be ensured at all costs,” he said, warning that no one would be allowed to take the law into their hands. He also directed officials to ensure the best possible medical facilities for the injured policemen.
Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel are deployed across the province to prevent the demonstrators from leaving Lahore. Authorities also suspended mobile phone service in parts of Lahore and blocked roads. The situation worsened when police tried to stop the rally goers, witnesses said.
The violence disrupted normal life in parts of Lahore, where residents were facing problems in reaching home because of the closure of some roads and continued clashes between police and TLP supporters.
Supporters of Rizvi’s party shared videos showing police firing tear gas shells as some of the injured protesters waited for medical aid. Shipping containers were also being brought in to block the main Islamabad highway and surrounding roads to keep protesters from entering the capital from other nearby cities, towns and villages.
Meanwhile, Lahore Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Muntazir Mehdi said in a statement that traffic flow was as per usual on all entry and exit points of the city as well as on Ferozepur Road, Jail Road, Wahdat Road, Mall Road and Canal Road.
He said that traffic also remained unaffected in Chungi Amar Sadhu, Thokar Niaz Baig, Chung and Mohlanwal areas, as well as on GT Road.
However, roads connecting Babu Sabu to Scheme Morr and Scheme Morr to Yateem Khana Chowk have been closed for traffic, while a protest by blind persons is under way at Secretariat Chowk, he said.
Citizens can contact the 15 helpline for more information, he added.