HARIPUR, March 20: A bride’s father along with three other people, including a pesh imam (prayers’ leader), were arrested by the police on charges of exploding firecrackers, said one of the accused talking to newsmen here on Wednesday.

However, the police registered a case against the four under the Firing Act.

According to Shamraiz Khan, a resident of Mohalla Baboo here, the Baraat of his daughter arrived here from Rawalpindi on Sunday evening and when Rukhsati was about to take place, some naughty children, accompanying Baraat, set off fireworks.

The police, he said, mistook it as aerial firing and spoiled the ceremony, arresting him along with three other guests, including the pesh imam who was there to solemnize Nikah.

He told the newsmen that in spite of repeated requests from the notables who termed the allegation of aerial firing as unfounded, the city police station SHO not only used harsh words against the participants of the Baraat but also disrupted the ceremony calling in more police strength, headed by an ASP, who later took all the four persons to the police station and registered the case against them under the Firing Act, he said.

He further said that due to his arrest he could not participate in the Rukhsati of his daughter. However, he along with three other accused, was released late in the night.

“They (police) don’t dare arrest the real culprits and influentials who resort to aerial firing daily within the suburban limits and create problems for common citizens,” said Capt. Haji Pervez (retired).

Those who were apprehended by the police are: Shamraiz Khan (father of the bride), Maulana Mohammad Muneer, Mohammad Ulfat and Haji Pervez. Meanwhile, the police’s version in this regard remained unchanged and city police station SHO Naqeebullah rejected the claim of the accused.