ISLAMABAD: Five police officials, including the Golra police SHO, sustained injuries in a clash with people during an anti-encroachment operation in G-14 on Tuesday.

Officials from the district administration and police said Thala Syedan was acquired by the Federal Government Employees Housing Foundation and the landowners were paid for the land. However, some of the former owners are still residing in the area and had built houses there.

Officials from the housing foundation, capital administration and police reached the area to demolish the structures and get the possession of the land.

Shortly, a large number of people gathered at the scene and pelted the officials with stones.

As a result, five police officials were injured. A police contingent, including the Anti-Riot Unit and an armoured personnel carrier (APC), were called to the area.

The contingent, comprising over 100 officials and officers, tried to maintain law and order and lobbed tear gas shells on the mob. But the mob opened fire on the police to push them back, said the officials.

Golra SHO SI Shabbir Tanoli told Dawn that ruling party MNA Ali Nawaz Awan reached the spot and negotiated with the protesters.

He said there was an anti-encroachment operation to get possession of the land but the locals resisted the drive violently.

About 400 people intercepted the officials and put up resistance when the officials were about to start the operation, the SHO said. He said the locals also pelted the officials with stones and opened fire into the air as well as on the officials.

“Fortunately, there was no serious injury or loss of life,” he added.

The SHO said on the demand of the locals the police were later called back. He said a case would be registered over the attack on police.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2020