MIANWALI, May 5: A complete shutdown strike was observed at Wan Bhachran, 20km from here, on Monday in protest against the cold-blooded murder of ice factory owner Nur Zaman, who was tortured to death allegedly by his kidnappers for not paying Rs1 million ransom.

Residents of Wan Bhachran blocked traffic on the busy Mianwali-Lahore Road for five hours. An angry mob tried to attack the Wan Bhachran police station but some notables controlled the protesters.

Wan Bhachran and Musakhel police tried to disperse the protesters by resorting to baton charge, but people pelted stones at policemen and thrashed Musakhel SHO Rana Ghulam Husain and Mochh SHO Muhammad Nawaz Chadhar, who were admitted to Mianwali DHQ hospital. Some protesters also sustained minor injuries during the clash.

After the police retreat, a huge contingent, headed by DPO Tasaddaq Hayat reached there but resentment against the police was so strong that the force could not control the mob by teargas and aerial firing. However, a notable, Malik Ahmed Khan Bhachar negotiated with the DPO who assured that the culprits would be held within two days.

The District Traders Association, Mianwali, has also convened a meeting on Tuesday (today) to observe a shutdown strike.

Reports said some proclaimed offenders abducted Nur Zaman, tortured him to death, threw his body on Sunday morning at Chidroo mountains and informed the police.

Injured SHO Ghulam Husain told this reporter at hospital that a murder case had been registerd on the complaint of deceased’s father Muhammad Yar against two nominated accused Niamatullah and Falak Sher and three unknown people under sections 302, 365A, 148, 149 of the PPC and 7 ATA.

The DPO said police parties had been sent to Chidroo mountains for the arrest of captors.

Some time back, a number of kidnap for ransom incidents have taken place in the district which could not be reported. In most of the cases, the well-off people saved their lives after paying ransom.