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FAISALABAD, Dec 31: Police on ‘high alert’ because of Muharram could arrive on Samundari Road after two hours after they were called out to control a mob protesting incessant loadhsedding here on Wednesday.
Samundari Road is just seven kilometres from the Police Lines where reserved forces are stationed.
Madina Town Police Officer (TPO) Rommel Akram called police reserves to avoid any eventuality and damage to the public property by labourers and people, thousands in number, near Novelty Bridge on Samundari Road who were protesting unscheduled loadshedding.
Sources said seeing baton-wielding protesters in furious mood, the TPO called additional force. He aired a message on the wireless that delay of arrival of force could be resulted into a damage to the property. Mr Akram personally called the in-charges of police reserves on their cell phones.
The protesters burnt tyres and threw traffic out of gear on Samundari Road nearly for three hours. It is reported that a few protesters damaged the public property in the Factory Area.
Only a few police officials and those also without any anti-riot gadgets were present. Constables tried to keep the protest in control.
However, the sources said in spite of repeated calls by the TPO, the police reserves arrived at the assigned spot after two hours.
Protest rallies were also held in other parts of the district, including Jaranwala Road, Maqbool Road and Sargodha Road, in protest against power suspensions.
The protesters carrying banners and placards were demanding smooth supply of electricity. They said hours-long loadshedding had landed them in a difficult situation, and it was impossible for them to make both ends meet.
Meanwhile, the Labour Qaumi Movement has announced a complete strike on Thursday (today) against power cuts. Powerloom workers from all parts of the district will stage a sit-in outside the Fesco offices.
PROTEST AGAINST POLICE: Villagers of Tandlianwala blocked Kanjwani Road to protest alleged police failure in arresting outlaws who shot at and injured a man in a robbery bid on Saturday and the victim died on Wednesday.
The death of Rajab Ali, of Chak 400-GB, at Allied Hospital infuriated the villagers, who later blocked the road, burnt tryes and chanted slogans against the police for their inaction.
The protesters dispersed when the police assured them that the criminals would be arrested soon. demo: Traders of Tandlianwala staged a demonstration and closed their businesses to protest the anti-encroachment operation launched by the district government on Wednesday.
The traders also blocked the main road, burnt tyres and chanted slogans against the administration.
They said that employees of the revenue department and the tehsil municipal administration (TMA) were removing those structures which were approved by the administration itself and the traders were paying annul fee for those constructions.
Revenue DDO Rai Zafar Iqbal abandoned the operation immediately after holding talks with the traders and later announced its suspension for the time being.
Revenue EDO Malik Aslam said the operation would be carried on, however, the administration would not hit any structure raised or installed after getting approval genuinely.
