ISLAMABAD: Superin­tendent of Traffic Police Asmatullah Junejo assumed the charge of SSP (operations) Islamabad on Sunday night after his predecessor Mohammad Ali Nikokara went on leave over the issue of use of force against protesters.

SSP Nikokara had been assured on Aug 27 that no use of force would be required.

After he went on leave, the interior ministry offered the post to SP retired Capt Mohammad Ilyas, the most senior among all SPs in Islamabad, but he too refused to take the charge. The second most senior SP, retired Capt Mustansar Feroz, was not offered the post because he had developed serious differences with acting Inspector General Khalid Khatak and was about to resign.

On Saturday night, SP Feroz was asked by the acting IG to remain with SSP Nikokara when action was taken against the protesters, but he left the venue.

SSP Nekokara was left alone with some policemen who ran away after the protesters retaliated. He was later rescued by personnel of the Frontier Constabulary.

Assistant IG Dr Sultan Azam Temuri also refused to hold the charge because he is senior to the acting IG. He is yet to be promoted as the promotion board failed to meet over the past two years to consider his case.

Soon after assuming the charge, SSP Junejo appeared at the Secretariat Chowk and talked to the media. He said: “We are not policymakers; we are to implement decisions. Imran Khan and Tahirul Qadir were our heroes but they should understand our constraint.”

Referring to the Prime Minster House and PM Secretariat, he said there was a red line which police could not allow anyone to cross. “We have to defend the red line whether you like it or not.” He said police did not use force against unarmed and peaceful protesters but there were some limits. He apologised over the use of force against the protesters as well as media personnel on Saturday night.

SSP Junejo said that 11 personnel of Punjab Constabulary had been identified and action would take against them.

In reply to a question about the presence of protesters inside the Parliament House, he said the army took over its charge under Article 245 of the Constitution and efforts were being made to get it vacated for the assembly sessions and free movement of legislators.

About the blockade of roads and placement of containers, he said there was no bar on any movement and extra measures had been taken because of security threats.

Answering a question about differences among the officers over the use of force against the protesters, the SSP said the capital police were united and there was no difference among them. “The order to get the red zone vacated will come from top level, but has not come so far.”

Earlier, acting IG Khatak had directed the Secretariat Police Station to register a case against the PAT and PTI chiefs under the Anti-Terrorism Act on charges of assault on personnel, trespass, murder attempt and obstruction in official duty and rioting with weapons, but the area SP Mustansar refused on the grounds that he needed a written order to register the case and also become a complainant.

Earlier, DSP Khadija Tasneem, who worked with the capital police and was currently posted with the Punjab police, also resigned from her post over the police action against the protesters.

Published in Dawn, September 1st, 2014