FAISALABAD: Lawyers and police clashed in Samundri outside the district courts on Tuesday leaving about 15 advocates injured.

Lawyers of Faisalabad division have announced a daylong strike on Thursday (today) and demanded the arrest of policemen allegedly involved in roughing up lawyers.

Lawyers were protesting outside the courts in Samundri against the arrest of their fellow, Latif Warraich, by the Samundri City police. They had locked main gates of the court premises and allegedly did not allow police to take the arrested lawyer inside.

Policemen tried to force their way in that led to an exchange of harsh words with the lawyers. A police team rushed to the spot and allegedly baton-charged lawyers who were blocking the way. The lawyers also retaliated.

Injured lawyers were shifted to DHQ Hospital where some of them were admitted.

Those injured were identified as former Samundri bar president Naveed Irshad, Amjad, Yasir Hafiz, Waheed Aslam, Irfan Ali, Yaseen Saleem, Nazir, Rashid Mahmood and Asif Tatla.

Khan Afzal Khan, a member of the bar, told Dawn that police “brutally tortured” his fellows, fired in the air and resorted to shelling when they were sitting in the bar. He said they were protesting against police for arresting a senior lawyer “without a reason”.

However, police claimed the lawyers had locked the gates that they had to unlock themselves and produce the accused before the courts.

An inquiry committee headed by Senior Superintendent of Police Ghulam Mubashir Maikan was constituted to probe the issue.

Faisalabad District Bar Association Secretary-General Ijaz Ahmed Wahla told Dawn that lawyers had informed police officials of the conduct of the Samundri City station house officer. The officials had sought a few days for his transfer, but to no avail.

He said lawyers of Faisalabad division would observe a daylong strike on Thursday (today).

He said the legal fraternity of other divisions would also join them if no action was taken against the policemen responsible.

The city police officer suspended the Samundri SHO from service on charges of torturing lawyers. A case under Section 155-C of the Police Order was registered against him.