RAWALPINDI, Sept 22: Local courts in Rawalpindi on Saturday sent 77 suspects to Adiala jail, on a 14 day judicial remand, over the allegations of riots and arson during the day-long protests, against the blasphemous film that sparked agitation across the Muslim world.

Anti terrorism court (ATC) of Rawalpindi sent 52 suspects to Adiala jail. The Secretariat police brought them before ATC judge Chaudhry Habibur Rehman.

According to the FIR registered in the police station Secretariat, about 5-6 thousand angry protestors, some of them armed with iron and wooden rods scuffled with 17-18 police officials deployed near the convention centre who were trying to stop their entrance into the red zone.

The FIR said that the rioters attacked the police officials and critically injured them, set on fire a number of motorcycles and severely damaged the government property, hence, created panic and sense of insecurity among the general public.

The police requested the court for physical remand of the suspects but the ATC judge while sending them on judicial remand directed the police to produce them before the court on October 6.

About two dozen lawyers also reached the ATC to defend the suspects. A number of the suspects’ relatives and friends also arrived outside the ATC, when the police produced them in the court.

Saqib Rauf, an activist of Shabab-e-milli, the youth wing of Jamaat-i-Islami told Dawn outside the court that police arrested two of the activists who went to rescue their relatives from the mob.

He said that during the riots the police were witnessing the scene but when the rioters left the venue and the protesters were dispersing, the police arrested the peaceful protesters in order to show their efficiency.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police also produced an additional 25 suspects of rioters before the special magistrate. The police arrested them from the area of Pir Wadhai, New Town and Sadiqabad. The special magistrate sent them on a 14 day judicial remand, accordingly.

On the other hand, Interior Minister Rehman Malik after visiting the injured policemen in polyclinic announced the policemen who received serious injuries in the line of duty will be promoted.

Talking to reporters, the minister said he had directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad to promote the seriously injured assistant sub-inspectors (ASIs) and constables, who had shown bravery and received bullet wounds during the protests The personnel, who received injuries, are being awarded and financially compensated, he added.

The minister appreciated the Capital Police for courage, bravery and professionalism in handling the protest demonstrations held in the city.