ISLAMABAD: Seven people were injured in a clash between two groups inside Shahzad Town police station on Monday.

Earlier, the two groups of people clashed in Tamma village over a dispute related to water drainage.

In response to a complaint, the police reached the area and inquired about the matter. Both the groups were later called to the police station where a clash broke out between them again.

The groups beat up each other with batons, sticks and stones. In the meantime, some people reached the police station in a car. However, their rivals, who were already in the police station, used a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) to hit and smash the car. The SUV pushed the car to some distance and smashed it into another vehicle parked inside the police station. Seven people sitting in the car and the SUV suffered injuries.

Two groups had a dispute over water drainage in their village

All this happened in front of the police but the officials did nothing to stop the rivals. Both the groups then left the police station.

Later, a case was registered against them under section 147 (punishment for rioting), 149 (every member of unlawful assembly guilty of offence committed in prosecution of common object), 334 (murder attempt), 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees, 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharge of his duty) and 186 (obstructing public servant in discharge of public functions).

The case was registered on a complaint lodged by ASI Mohammad Imran. Later, the police arrested 18 people in connection with the case.

Station House Officer of the Shahzad Town Inspector Rana Akram was not available for comments.

When contacted, Subdivisional Police Officer Shahzad Town Sardar Ghulam Mustafa said due to weak mobile phone signals he could not talk.

ASI Imran confirmed to Dawn that seven people were injured in the clash inside the police station.

Published in Dawn, September 10th, 2019