I AM a resident of Chenab Nagar. On Oct 15 I was stopped from entering my town by the police on the plea that a religious conference was going on in the town and I could be a 'security' risk.

I told them that I am a resident of the town. Upon this they checked my NIC which mentioned the address of my native town in Shaikhpura district. Then they said I was a non-resident.

Since 1984 Ahmadis, who make up more than 95 per cent of Chenab Nagar's population, have been requesting the provincial and the federal government for permission to hold their annual gathering on a piece of land that they have kept for this purpose for 27 years, but have always been denied permission on the plea of law and order problems.

On the other hand, non-residents from across the country are permitted to hold their meetings etc.

Moreover, police responsible for law and order set up checkposts at all entrance points of the town and usually end up stopping residents from entering the city.

It was very easy for them to work with the local people, who are known to be very organised, in order to set up a strategy that was less insulting to the residents of the city they were supposed to protect.

TAHIR AHMAD BHATTI
Chenab Nagar