DERA GHAZI KHAN: The Taunsa City police registered a case against nine people on charge of assaulting the assistant commissioner and ransacking of a flour distribution centre during a protest at Taunsa Sharif.

The police registered a case against nine suspects, Tanveer and Yasir Hiyat, on charge of attacking AC Amir Khan Jalbani under various sections. Seven other suspects remained unidentified.

According to eyewitnesses, a woman who was angry at the non-provision of the free flour at the centre pulled off the waistcoat of AC Jalbani who was supervising the distribution process on Friday. The woman was manhandled by the officer’s security guard. Reacting to the incident, an angry mob pushed the guard, making him fall on the ground. Some of the protesters allegedly attacked the AC’s official vehicle and deflated its tyres. The woman pulled off the AC’s waistcoat and shouted slogans against the government.

The eyewitnesses said the guard manhandled the woman as she refused to return the waistcoat. They said the AC managed to flee to avoid the wrath of the mob.

Later, a heavy contingent of police reached the spot, dispersed the protesters and got the Sulaiman Stadium vacated where the centre was set up.

Published in Dawn, March 27th, 2023