RAWALPINDI: Traders staged a protest on Sunday against the police for not arresting robbers who have been active in the city.

The protesters shouted slogans against the police and demanded the chief minister take notice of increasing crime in the city. They gathered outside the Ganjmandi police station and blocked traffic.

Saturday night, a robber walked into the shop of Sheikh Asif while his accomplice waited outside on their motorcycle. He pulled out his gun and demanded cash.

Sheikh Asif tried to overpower the robber, who shot him and fled without taking the money, an employee of the shop said.

Mr Asif was taken to the hospital and later a complaint was registered at the Ganjmandi police station. The traders claim the police registered the case but minimised the offence.

The traders staged the protest outside the same police station for more than an hour and it was called off only after the traders were assured that the FIR would be amended.

In a similar incident, a resident of R.A Bazaar Khalil Bhatti was shot when he offered resistance to the robbers who robbed his wife Saturday night.

In his complaint, Mr Bhatti said he was going home with his wife when two motorcyclists blocked his way.

He said the gunmen took the six gold bangles his wife was wearing and shot him when he tried to overpower them. Mr Bhatti’s condition is said to be critical.

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2016