SAHIWAL: Over 50 policemen were injured in a major operation in Sahiwal to get the national highway cleared from TLP workers.

DSP Saleem Rath said more than 300 police personnel participated in the operation. Rescue 1122 sources said 16 injured policemen were shifted to the DHQ Teaching Hospital while rest were given firstaid on the spot.

Clashes erupted when police tried to disperse protesters sitting at View Hotel. DSP traffic Mian Asif said the highway was cleared after 26 hours.

Over 120 local activists of TLP were arrested by police from Okara, Pakpattan and Sahiwal districts.

Rana Iftikhar, ADIG, Sahiwal Range, told Dawn police had not yet registered cases against any captured men of TLP.

Sources said clashes between Okara police and TLP activists left two ASI, two DSPs and 16 constables injured. The protesters also damaged five police mobile vehicles.

GUJRAT: At least 22 policemen, including DPO Umar Salamat and Kharian DSP Iftikhar Tarrar, were injured as a result of stone pelting and physical torture by TLP men.

At least 139 activists of the TLP had also been arrested by the police under various sections of the Pakistan Penal Code and Anti -Terrorism Act.

Police launched an operation against the TLP activists to get the main national highway cleared. DPO Umar Salamat personally led the Gujrat city operation at GTS Chowk where police used teargas and batons to disperse the protesters who retaliated by stone pelting.

Clashes also erupted between the police and protesters along Railway Road, Sargodha Road and some other areas.

In Kharian, the protesters took DSP Iftikhar hostage and brutally tortured him. Sadar SHO Sarfraz Ranjha was also injured. They were shifted to the Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Teaching Hospital.

Police also launched operation in Lalamusa and Sara-I-Alamgir.

The protesters in Mandi Bahauddin made the SP investigation Anwar Saeed hostage near Rasul area and tortured him. Police later got the SP freed after releasing some arrested activists of the TLP.

Rangers were called in Gujrat and Mandi Bahauddin to support police.

RAHIM YAR KHAN: A passerby was killed while five others injured during a stampede at a TLP camp at Chowk Bahadurpur on National highway.

The TLP supporters turned violent when police reached the spot and pelted them with stones. Babur (14), stated to be a passerby, was killed.

FAISALABAD: Police registered a case against 200 TLP activists on charges of killing a man and injuring nine others, including some policemen, during a demonstration on Monday night.

On Tuesday, dozens of TLP workers carrying sticks took round of different city areas and got the market markets closed.

Two policemen — ASI Kaleemullah and constable Faisal — sustained bullet injuries on their shins and wrists. Four other constables also sustained injuries due to stone pelting. Firing by the agitators hit the police station building and two vehicles.

Passerby Mohammad Aamir of Chak 123-GB, Jaranwala, was shot dead by protesters.

Some 23 activists of the TLP had been named in the FIR.

BAHAWALPUR: A heavy contingent of police got the Sutlej bridge cleared from protesters to restore vehicular traffic after over 16 hours. The police took into custody dozens of TLP activists and drove them to different police stations.

TOBA TEK SINGH: Rajana police registered a case against 126 Tehreek activists for attacking and injuring six policemen, tearing their uniform and snatching away their helmets and shields at Rajana Chowk.

GUJRANWALA: Four policemen and a rescuer were injured seriously by TLP activists at Chanda Da Qila Bypass on Tuesday.

According to sources, case have been registered against TLP activists and some of them had been arrested.

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Dozens of policemen and protesters were injured during police operation against a sit-in by TLP on Ghazi Ghat bridge.

Police registered a case against 80 protesters, including 50 nominated.

Published in Dawn, April 14th, 2021