MULTAN: About 25 people were injured here on Saturday after riots erupted over alleged use of objectionable slogans by some in a mourning procession.

Sheikh Tahir Amjad, a resident of the walled city, lodged a complaint with Haram Gate police that Ali Gardezi and two unidentified people had used “abusive language against revered personalities” during the procession.

According to Punjab Shia Ulema Council’s deputy information secretary Bisharat Abbas Qureshi, a procession was taken out from Androon Lohari Gate. When the demonstrators reached Chowk Clock Tower, some of them resorted to acts “regarded as sacrilegious” by Shias.

They also held a sit-in at Bohar Gate.

A former provincial minister and MPA, Haji Ehsanuddin Qureshi, negotiated with the demonstrators and urged them to disperse because police had registered a case under Section 298-A.

In the meantime, another group reached Chowk Shaheedan and forced shopkeepers to pull down their shutters. When the shopkeepers called police instead, the protesters pelted them with stones and resorted to shooting.

Yet another group of people gathered at Daulat Gate and hurled rocks at an Imambargah. The protesters also tried to stage a demonstration on the Railway Road, but police dispersed them.

Four people were injured in the shooting at Imambargah Husainabad and were taken to Nishtar Hospital.

When the administration called out troops, the enraged protesters started attacking policemen.

According to Rescue 1122, six people were injured in the clash at Clock Tower Chowk, seven at Daulat Gate and one at Nala Wali Mohammad.

At least 25 injured people, including three policemen, were taken to the Nishtar Hospital – seven of them with bullet injuries.

The condition of Awais, Habibur Rehman, Naeem and Ghulam Abbas was stated to be serious.

Later in the day, the official vehicle of Commissioner Syed Ali Murtaza came under attack by protesters. Four motorcycles were set on fire in various areas.

Stick-wielding protesters forced traders to shut their shops and kept roaming the roads and streets.

Police used teargas and batons to stop them from arson. A number of roads were blocked by setting fire to tyres and other objects.

BAHAWALNAGAR: The army took over control of Chishtian as tension gripped the town after furious protesters vandalised a place of worship on Friday.

Ten people, including seven policemen, were injured in Haroonabad and Chishtian in violence during a strike on Saturday.

According to sources, Sunni Ulema in Chishtian complained to the administration that a Zakir had made objectionable remarks in a speech during a procession on Tuesday. They said clerics from both sides and the administration agreed that the ‘controversial person’ would be gagged.

However, Sunnis held a demonstration on Friday since he was allowed to speak during the Ashura procession.

When the situation deteriorated, the DPO and DCO rushed to Chishtian and the latter ordered expulsion of the Zakir from the district.

An FIR was registered against Irshad Shamsi, Zeeshan Ahmad, Zahid Najaf and Younis Ghazi on the protesters’ demand.

Yet thousands of people ransacked an Imambargah and set it on fire. They also blocked the town’s main roads for over six hours and continued protesting till late in the night.

Troops were also called out in Haroonabad after workers of a banned group held a protest and clashed with police. A policeman and three students were injured.

In Bahawalnagar, club-wielding workers of a banned organisation forcibly shut down shops and thrashed shopkeepers who did not oblige.