SHEIKHUPURA, Aug 20: A passerby woman was injured when police opened fire on protesters who threw traffic out of gear on Lahore-Sargodha Road for some three hours here on Friday.

Hundreds of Christians, including women, gathered in front of the local tehsil municipal office and later paraded on Lahore-Sargodha Road to protest the killing of a sanitary worker. They also burnt used tyres after blocking the road.

They alleged that Nasir Masih died at the local DHQ Hospital due to severe police torture. The protesters were carrying placards and banners inscribed with slogans against the police. A heavy police contingent was escorting the protesters.

When protesters refused to disperse, the police resorted to baton charge and aerial firing. Resultantly, a passer by woman, Nasim Bibi, suffered bullet injuries. She was removed to a nearby hospital.

Later, the protesters pelted stones on shops and vehicles at Bati Chowk. Owing to stiff resistance, further police force was summoned which succeeded in dispersing the protesters.

Meanwhile, the Sanitary Jafakash Union announced that it would observe strike in protest. They also threatened to boycott the cleanliness in the city till the arrest of responsible police official.

On the other hand, DPO Shahid Iqbal claimed that the deceased was severely beaten up by the people of Mirajpura locality for his alleged involvement in a theft incident. However, he assured that justice would be done. Nasir was buried in Christian graveyard on Friday evening.