KASUR: A Lesco official was allegedly manhandled and shot at over checking a house for power theft on Monday in Old Mandi, Pattoki.

A Lesco team visited the house of Abu Bakar over a complaint of electricity theft. The house owner had an argument with the team and later opened fire on them. Resultantly, Lesco officer Allah Rakha suffered injuries and fled from the house with his team members.

The injured was rushed to Pattoki THQ Hospital.

Police started looking into the matter.

Lesco officials demanded security during working hours as well as arrest of the suspect.

Boycott

Lawyers of two bars boycotted court proceedings on Monday against two separate incidents involving policemen.

Lawyers of Kasur District Bar Association on the call of President Mehar Muhammad Saleem boycotted court proceedings against the alleged rough attitude of Saddar SHO Shamshair Khokhar.

The lawyers demanded arrest of the SHO for allegedly manhandling a lawyer and putting him behind the bars. On Sunday, Ali Ahmed Chughtai went to the Saddar police station in connection with a case against suspect Munir Ahmed and asked SHO Khokhar to register a cross FIR. The SHO refused, which led to an exchange of harsh words.

The SHO got the lawyer arrested and put him in a lock-up. Later, Chughtai’s fellow lawyers reached the police station and got him released.

On Monday, the lawyers held a meeting and decided to boycott court proceedings. They also demanded the SHO be arrested for allegedly keeping their fellow in illegal custody and abuse of power.

Meanwhile, the Pattoki Bar Association on the call of President Rana Sharaf Riaz also boycotted court proceedings against the attitude of the Sarai Mughal SHO.

They claimed the SHO had refused to register a case against at least 12 people who had allegedly manhandled and injured their fellow bar member, Advocate Aqeel Ashiq.

A few days ago, at least 12 men allegedly attacked Ashiq and injured him seriously. The lawyer submitted an application against the suspects but the Sarai Mughal SHO refused to file a case.

The complainants passed a resolution in a meeting on Monday and went on a strike.

The lawyers demanded registration of a case against the alleged attackers besides their arrest.

Published in Dawn, July 22nd , 2014