KASUR: Khudian police on Sunday booked over 100 traders for blocking the Deepalpur Road by burning tyres on it in protest against extortionists who injured a trader in the bazaar.

The traders blocked the traffic for hours by holding a protest near Mandi Morr on Saturday.

The case against traders was lodged under sections of the PPC against 22 nominated and 80 unidentified traders on complaint of Sub-Inspector Muhammad Jamil.

The traders staged a protest demonstration against lawlessness and failure of police to control a gang that had extorted money from them. The gang had injured the shopkeeper, Khalid Naeem, for allegedly refusing to pay extortion worth Rs10,000.

Khalid had got a case registered against 15 suspects, including Abu Bakar and Zulqarnain, for demanding protection money. He alleged that the accused had ransacked his shop, resorted to firing, injured him and created panic in the bazaar. In solidarity with him, the traders held a shutdown strike.

Khudian police had lodged a case on Khalid’s complaint under sections of the ATA and the PPC. Police had arrested one Muhammad Saleem.

Published in Dawn, March 1st, 2021