FAISALABAD, Aug 6: Councillors on Tuesday staged a demonstration and blocked traffic by burning tyres against maltreatment of police with a woman councillor.

The demonstration was the first of its kind since the inception of local government system introduced by the present regime.

Dr Zahida Parveen told a district council meeting on Tuesday on a point of order that a heavy police contingent on the orders of Civil Lines DSP Chaudhry Mushtaq Ahmad arrested her husband Dr Ilyas on Sunday night. Police also misbehaved with her and other family members during the raid.

Despite repeated requests by the convener, councillors gathered on district council intersection to stage a demonstration. They chanted slogans against police and demanded immediate suspension of SDPO and policemen who raided the house.

Traffic on the University Road remained suspended for about two hours.

During demonstration, woman councillor Nargis Firdaus fell unconscious due to hot weather. She was admitted to a hospital.

Nazim Zahid Nazir and district police officer Zafar Abbas Luk rushed to the scene and convinced the protesting councillors to discuss the matter in the house.

The councillors returned to the Jinnah Hall and proceedings resumed. During their speeches, a number of councillors highlighted police failure in controlling law and order.

Aftr about an hour, the convener called district police officer Luk for explaining the conduct of police. He assured the house that an inquiry would be held and action would be taken against guilty police officials.

Meanwhile, Ms Parveen told Dawn that she moved a privilege motion during the council’s July 26 session and pointed out that the DSP demanded Rs50,000 bribe from her for removing her husband’s name from a criminal case registered against him. The house called the DSP next day who refuted the allegations levelled against him and assured the house that the matter would be resolved according to the law.

She claimed that the DSP arrested her husband to take revenge of his insult in the district council session.