ISLAMABAD: Though Faizabad remained the centre of Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP)’s protest, the police record shows that in a violent incident at Shahzad Town, activists of the religious group attacked and injured policemen and damaged public and private property.

The protests started soon after the Supreme Court acquitted Aasia Bibi in a blasphemy case on Wednesday.

Activists, supporters and local leaders of various religious groups poured into different areas of the capital, including Faizabad, Tarnol, Golra, Rawat, Bhara Kahu and Aabpara.

Faizabad remained under the control of the protesters till Friday night. The capital police and administration removed protesters from other parts of the capital on different occasions but they returned and continued their protests.

Activists of religious group attacked police and damaged property during their protest at Tramri Chowk, FIR says

Tramri was where the protest got violent with the participants confronting the police and damaging public and private property.

About 250 protesters were booked on the charge of beating policemen and damaging public and private property at the behest of the TLP leadership, the police said.

A case was registered with the Shahzad Town police station in response to a complaint lodged by Inspector Pervaiz Akhter against the protesters under section 7 of the Anti-Terrorism Act (ATA) and sections 353 (assault or criminal force to deter a public servant from discharge of his duty), 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 109 (punishment of abetment if the act abetted, committed in consequence and where no express provision is made for its punishment), 147 (punishment for rioting), 148 (rioting, armed with deadly weapon), 341 (punishment for wrongful restraint ) and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees) of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC).

According to the FIR, about 250 protesters gathered at Tramri Chowk and blocked it, along with Lehtrar Road and Park Road.

They were armed with sticks and chanting anti-government and anti-judiciary slogans.

The protesters were informed about a ban on public gatherings and asked to disperse but they attacked private property and damaged vehicles, the FIR added. Later, they also attacked police officials.

They also pelted the police with stones, as a result of which constables Mohammad Luqman and Ali Hussain were injured.

A police officer said teams had been constituted to identify, trace and arrest those nominated in the FIR. He said so far seven protesters had been identified.

Teams have been given the task to examine footage of the Safe City Project cameras installed around Tramri Chowk to identify other protesters.

A technical team is collecting evidence and identifying the protesters through social media so that they could be arrested, he added.

Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2018