Life returns to normalcy as police, Rangers clear TLP sit-ins
Rawalpindi/ islamabad – An activist of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) was killed and dozens of others sustained critical wounds when police fired bullets into air and tear gas shells at an unruly mob staging sit-in at Liauqat Bagh on Murree Road on early Wednesday to press government to release their chief Hafiz Saad Rizvi.
Similarly, a total of 128 police officers and eight civilians also suffered multiple injuries in attacks launched by TLP mob.
Rangers also assisted police in operation clean up at Liaquat Bagh Square, a few yards away from Lal Haveli, the residence of Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, occupied by TLP protestors carrying sticks for last two days when the irate activists of TLP pelted the police with stones and beat them with sticks.
The dead body of the TLP activist (son of Sub Inspector Ghulam Abbas of Islamabad police) and other injured activists and cops were rushed to District Headquarters Hospital for autopsy and medical treatment.
In a crackdown in Rawalpindi division and federal capital, police rounded up more than 324 leaders and activists of TLP and shifted them to Adiala Jail. Cases under Section 3 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (MPO) have also been registered against the protestors, according to sources. “Rawalpindi police held more than 130 activists of TLP and registered cases against them on terrorism charges,” said Sajjad Ul Hassan, a police spokesman.
According to details, a heavy contingent of police and Rangers used baton, fired teargas shells and gunshots in the air to disperse the activists of TLP, who were staging a sit-in at Liaquat Bagh.
The area turned into battle field as the TLP activists who were also present on Metro Bus Route also responded and started pelting stones and broken tiles on police officials. They also threw back the tear gas shells towards police and Rangers who were struggling to disperse the protestors to open road for traffic.
Some violent protestors caught cops and beat them black and blue. They were also chanting slogans “Labbaik Ya Rasool Allah Labbaik.”
Thick clouds of white smoke could be seen hovering over Murree Road, causing intense problems for the residents of the areas including Liaquat Bagh, Arya Mohala and Waris Khan.
During the clashes, an activist of TLP was allegedly killed after suffering bullet injuries while many others got injured. Likewise, more than 120 police officers including SP CIA Tariq Mehboob, SDPO City Chaudhry Assar Ali, SHOs of police stations Rawat, Waris Khan and Pirwadhai Awais Akram, Yasir Abbasi and other cops also got injured.
Police and Rangers also held more than 130 activists of TLP and shifted them to police stations after filing cases against them under charges of 7 Anti Terrorism Act (ATA).
In Gujar Khan, a furious clash between police and TLP workers was avoided due to best policing of SP Abid Shah and SHO Gujar Khan as the TLP workers dispersed peacefully from GT Road. The police, following directions of Regional Police Officer (RPO) Imran Ahmer, also launched crackdown in Attock, Jhelum and Chakwal and held a total of 106 activists of TLP.
In Islamabad, a heavy contingent of police, led by SSP Operations Dr Syed Mustafa Tanweer and SP Omer Khan, dispersed the TLP protestors staging sit-in at Athal Chowk in Bharakahu. Some 88 TLP leaders and activists have been apprehended by Islamabad police and moved to jail.
“Rawalpindi police have launched a massive operation against violent TLP activists and handcuffed some 130 accused,” said SI Sajjad ul Hassan, a spokesman to city police chief. He said all the detainees were booked under terrorism charges. He said more than 120 police officers and cops suffered injuries during clashes with TLP mobs. He said Rangers also assisted police in operation against TLP protestors. “The activists of a religious party agitated against the arrest of their chief while spoiling peaceful atmosphere of city and paralysing normal life as well,” he said adding that the TLP force carrying sticks also usurped the basic rights of citizens and police booked the trouble makers under terrorism charges. He said police opened all the roads for traffic movement across the region. He said the injured police officers were shifted to hospitals for medical treatment.
He said CPO Muhammad Ahsan Younas, SSP Operations Shohaib Mehmood, SSP Investigation Muhammad Faisal Kamran, Divisional SPs Syed Ali, Kamran Hameed, SP CIA Tariq Mehbood and RPO Imran Ahmer also remained in the field and supervised police action against TLP protestors.
“Police will not allow any party or group to fuel anarchy and lawlessness under the garb of religion,” said CPO Muhammad Ahsan Younas. He said the police would ensure writ of government at any cost. He said no one would be allowed to take law into hands.
Meanwhile, the citizens took a sigh of relief after police and Rangers removed the barricades from Murree Road and other parts of area. Life returned to normalcy at Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Liaquat Bagh, Raja Bazaar, Arya Mohala, Mareer Chowk, Rawat, Gujar Khan, Tarnol, and Bharakahu.
Hustle and bustle could be seen on roads and in bazaars in once trouble hit areas as a large number of citizens went out for Ramadan shopping.
A video showing detained workers of TLP being paraded on Metro Bus route by police and Rangers also went viral on social media.
The sanitary workers of Rawalpindi Waste Management Company and Al Bayrak also lifted the filth and stones and bricks from roads.
The high ups of district government also paid a visit to Murree Road. Rangers were deputed on Murree Road to maintain law and order situation.
A senior police officer said the police resorted to firing tear gas shells and gunshots into air after some of the protesters of TLP threw stones at the police and Rangers and beat.
Meanwhile, the leaders of TLP alleged the workers were holding a peaceful protest until the police fired tear-gas shells and gunshots at them. They said police fired bullets straight towards the unarmed and empty handed TLP workers that led to death of an activist.
Article source: https://nation.com.pk/15-Apr-2021/life-returns-to-normalcy-as-police-rangers-clear-tlp-sit-ins