SIALKOT, Sept 25: Seven policemen and eight villagers were injured on Sunday during a clash over the construction of an outer wall of the newly-established export processing zone near Jaithikey-Nagriyanwali village, Sambrial tehsil.

The EPZ management started constructing the outer wall under the supervision of small industries zone additional director Muhammad Aslam. The construction had blocked the only way to nearby villages.

Going berserk by the act, dozens of villagers gathered there and halted the construction work. They also threw traffic out of gear on the main Sialkot-Sambrial-Wazirabad Road for one hour between 2.30pm and 3.30pm. They alleged the EPZ management had committed to leave the passage for villagers while purchasing the land several years ago.

Meanwhile, the EPZ management called out a heavy police contingent to disperse villagers. On seeing the police, the protesting mob fell into a rage and started hurling stones on them. They also shattered window panes of the EPZ building. In retaliation, the police led by Sambrial SHO Muhammad Razzaq, resorted to baton charge on villagers.

As a result, seven policemen — Asif, Mureed Husain, Ayub, Ghulam Abbas, Ayub, Iqbal and Gulzar Khan and eight villagers, including Mehmood, Fiaz, Shabbir and Anwar, sustained minor injuries. They were discharged from the hospital after the first aid.

Later, Daska ASP Ali Anwar Javaid Malik hastened to the spot and brought the situation under control by negotiating with the protesting people.

Meanwhile, the Sambrial police have arrested more than a dozen villagers and registered a case against them.

Further investigation is under way.