Lahore: The Punjab Police has once again opposed the federal government’s decision to go soft on the banned Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP). announcement of To release hundreds of its workers and withdraw cases against others.
Police sources said their personnel sacrificed their lives and were injured while performing their duties during violent protests by the TLP, but each time the government reconciled with the group, regardless of whether the police But how they were attacked and injured with petrol bombs, clubs and bricks, their vehicles were turned over. Fire, weapons and other items were taken away. This is in addition to the damage caused to public property.
The law enforcement agency was responding to Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid’s statement that the government had “released 350 TLP activists so far and we are still waiting to open both sides of Muridke’s road as per the TLP’s decision.” “. The minister had also promised to review the list of Fourth Schedule which included names of banned politicians and activists besides withdrawing all previous cases registered against him.
A frustrated deputy inspector general-rank officer blamed the ruling elite for pushing the police against the wall, and suggested: “The government has to stand with the law enforcers or TLP. Its decision to release hundreds of TLP jawans as an immediate settlement has neglected the sacrifices of policemen and those who lost their lives during the organization’s violent agitation.
40 cases registered against top leaders, 5,000 fourth schedulers, hardline workers
Since Sunday, the police have registered 40 cases against top leaders, 5,000 fourth schedulers and hardline TLP activists under terrorism and several other charges. Apart from the entire second and third tier leadership of the banned outfit, all members of its Majlis-e-Shura were booked in First Information Reports (FIRs) in Lahore, Sheikhupura and Gujranwala districts.
Most of the fresh cases were reported in Lahore (18) from where the group started a massive procession and created a major law and order situation. Of these, four each in Shafiqabad and Nawankot police stations, two each in Shahdara and New Anarkali, while others Iqbal Town, Millat Park, Sanda and Ravi Road etc. have registered FIRs.
Two FIRs were registered by the New Anarkali Police on the complaints of Inspector Syed Zahid Hussain and Sub-Inspector Arshad Mehmood, separately under the Anti-Terrorism Act, murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping and five other heinous charges. The complainants named 75 top TLP leaders, including MPA Mufti Qasim Fakhri and its chiefs in Karachi, Balochistan, North Punjab, South Punjab besides 200 activists who attacked police with clubs and bricks near district courts on October 23. was accused of doing.
He said the mob vandalized public property and set several police vehicles on fire near the metro bus track, while head constable Muhammad Ayub and constable Khalid Javed lost their lives during the clash. Government weapons and protective equipment were also snatched.
An assistant sub-inspector named 39 TLP leaders and 200 activists in the FIR registered by Shafiqabad police under terrorism, attempt to murder, kidnapping and other charges. He alleged that TLP men injured several policemen on October 23 and kidnapped some, snatched anti-riot kits and carried out terrorism in public.
In the case registered by the Sanda police, Sub-Inspector Wakas, besides 23 leaders of the banned group, arrested 5,000 activists and hardcore activists for attacking the police station, hurling petrol bombs and injuring policemen, vandalizing state property and park in Riyaz. designated for causing damage to vehicles. Garden Checkpost. The nominees included Masjid Rahmatul-Lil-Alamin Imam, the South Punjab and Lahore chief of the TLP and all members of its Majlis-e-Shura.
A police officer, Ghulam Rasool, complained in an FIR lodged by Ravi Road police that 11 TLP leaders and 150 activists attacked and injured policemen on GT Road and kidnapped constables Tanveer Ahmed and Iftikhar. Later both the policemen were rescued.
The Shafiqabad police registered an FIR on charges of terrorism, attempt to murder and kidnapping on a complaint by SI Shafqat Javed nominating 25 TLP leaders besides several other activists.
According to the FIR, the suspects took away eight mobile phones of policemen and several state-run guns from Batti Chowk on Saturday. Violent mobs chased police vans, set several of them on fire by throwing petrol bombs and also looted parts of official vehicles.
The Nawakot police named 23 TLP leaders and 260 activists in an FIR registered under terrorism and 10 other heinous charges on the complaint of a civilian. He accused the violent protesters of vandalizing and taking away his vehicle.
Orange Line metro train station manager Atiqur Rahman also lodged an FIR with the Millat Park police under terrorism and other charges, naming 22 TLP leaders and 50 activists. He alleged that most of the protesters were armed with deadly weapons when they attacked the metro station and damaged public property. He said the mob also threw petrol bombs, fired in the air and stole many valuables.
Traffic warden Muhammad Tayyab lodged an FIR with Iqbal Town police under terrorism and other sections alleging that violent TLP protesters attacked him from clubs and kidnapped him on October 20, while he was performing his duty. He named nine leaders of the group and dozens of its activists.
Similarly, citizens and transporters had also filed separate cases against TLP personnel for snatching their vehicles.
Published in Dawn, October 26, 2021