KASUR: Tensions ruled roads and cities of Kasur, Toba Tek Singh, Okara, Sialkot and other Punjab districts on Friday amid sporadic acts of violence by the protesters against the Supreme Court’s decision in the blasphemy case.

In Kasur, three police officials, including the Pattoki deputy superintendent of police (DSP), were injured when a mob, led by July 25 polls Tehreek-i-Labaik Pakistan (TLP) candidate for PP-180 Sabir Ali, ransacked the Jamber police post. Protesters also ransacked a Rescue 1122 ambulance.

The injured included Pattoki DSP Muhammad Saleem, Phoolnagar Station House Officer Muhammad Azam Dhudi and constable Muhammad Riaz. Police officials, including the three injured officials, remained stranded inside the police post for hours. A heavy contingent of police arrived at the scene for the release of police officials and to disperse the protesters.

The Pattoki police booked 159 protesters - 29 nominated and 130 unidentified people - for blocking Multan Road near Malanwala bypass. The police arrested 10 people, who are Ali Shan, Zameer Haider, Maulvi Muhammad Mujahid, Muhammad Mansha, Ghulam Shabir, Irshad Ahmed, Sharafat Ali, Mufti Rizwan Ahmed, Maqsood Ahmed, and Muhammad Sabir Ali.

Earlier, on Thursday, 19 protesters were arrested including seven with the Kanganpur police, seven with the Pattoki police and five with the Phoolnagar police.

In Toba Tek Singh, the police resorted to baton charge to disperse a mob in Kamalia’s Iqbal Bazaar. As clashes ensued, the police arrested four people. The Gojra City police registered cases against 80 religious activists, including 20 nominated, for blocking road at Gadda Khan Chowk.

TLP and Ahl-i-Hadith Youth Force activists took out separate processions in the Okara city. The TLP procession started from Ghausia Masjid and culminated at the Okara Press Club. Likewise, the youth force rally began from Chowk Jamia Mohammadia and ended at the press club. Protesters demanded reversal of the decision. The police arrested 34 protesters.

Sialkot also remained shuttered while protesters took to the streets after Friday congregations in Sialkot, Daska, Sambrial, Pasrur, Zafarwal, Shakargarh, Narowal and surrounding areas. They also kept the traffic blocked on all the main roads including Sialkot-Daska-Gujranwala Road, Sialkot-Pasrur-Narowal Road, Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad Road and Sialkot-Head Marala Road. Police contingents were present at the troubled spots.

In Sheikhupura, protesters took away bunch of banana from a minor vendor’s cart in the city. A video footage, which went viral on social media, shows the looters include young and old people, including a woman, who shamelessly stole bananas from the vendor. His pleads failed to move the people. Law-enforcers restored tear gas at Sadar Chowk to disperse the protesters. Also, four cars were set on fire at Kala Shah Kaku and on Sheikhupura-Lahore Road. Earlier, seven vehicles were burnt at the motorway interchange.

Published in Dawn, November 3rd, 2018