December 30, 2007	Sunday	Zilhaj 19, 1428

LAHORE, Dec 29: Many a bleeding heart, together with a number of other people, on Saturday continued to give vent to its outpouring against PPP chairperson Benazir Bhutto’s assassination, confronting the police in some parts of the city. It was the third consecutive day of protests launched under the pall of gloom.

According to eyewitnesses, the police resorted to light baton-charge of troublemakers at three spots to prevent them from going violent -– a charge the men in uniform denied.

A big gathering of the PPP activists was witnessed at the Data Darbar area, Bhati Gate, Lower Mall and The Mall where workers gathered in thousands to speak their heart out. After offering funeral prayers for the late Ms Bhutto outside the shrine complex, the party activists, led by PPP leaders Munir Ahmad Khan and Khalid Ghurki, marched towards The Mall chanting slogans and tearing election banners.

They also set fire to tyres and banners and posters of the PML-Q at different spots. A heavy police contingent, present at one of the most troubled spots since Thursday evening, stirred into action and blocked way of the groups allegedly trying to damage the public property.

The protesters reached GPO Chowk, burnt tyres and other articles again and raised slogans. They exchanged a word with the police who tried to deny them onward march to Faisal Chowk. They dispersed after the police managed to placate them through negotiations.

Another big gathering of around 1,300 activists at Koray Stop near Defence Morr blocked the road, chanted slogans and mauled the ruling party election appurtenance. A scuffle took place between the protesters and the police with the latter brandishing batons, a witness gave his account but not his name.

The law enforcers wielded batons against the protesters also in front of the Packages Limited on Walton Road where they gathered to block the road and express ire by repeating protest exercises. The mob hurled stones at the police in retaliation.

The police, however, claimed that eight to nine people gathered there, set two tyres ablaze and then left before any law enforcer could reach there.

A band of furious protesters assembled at Stop 27 on Walton Road (Factory Area police precinct) and expressed anger by resorting to traditional acts -– tyre burning and sloganeering. They went a step ahead by pelting the passing vehicles with stones.

Hide and seek between the police and the protesters continued for more than an hour. A Factory Area police official denied having resorted to baton-charge, but said the protesters did burn tyres at six places on Walton Road before dispersing.

Around 400 protesters gathered at Qainchi Chungi Amar Sidhu and burnt tyres in protest. At another place, a group of youngsters in a jeep (IDJ-8229) created panic among the locals by forcing closure of some grocery shops.

The jeep riders, armed with clubs, took round of Mozang area and warned the locals on loudspeaker against opening shops. They also hurled abuses at and beat up citizens passing through Temple Road, besides removing banners and posters of contestants for the upcoming polls. No police force rushed to the scene to protect the locals.

At Ichhra, the protesters allegedly damaged public property and burnt tyres and other stuff. While six to seven activists, armed with clubs, gathered at Santnagar Chowk, raised slogans and burnt tyres. Later, they dispersed before the police arrived.

Protests were also held on Fatehsher and Sher Shah roads and at Tainki Stop (Wahdat Colony), Shadbagh, Iqbal Town’s main boulevard, Mughalpura, Rang Mahal, Township and Jauhar Town.