LAHORE, March 24: Police literally took over the shrine of Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh during the annual ghusal ceremony performed by Governor Khalid Maqbool on Sunday afternoon.

Police threw a security ring around the governor and some in plainclothes misbehaved with people, many senior citizens, including former Auqaf secretary Syed Aale Ahmad.

A large number of people were not allowed entry. Among them were Lahore Corps Commander’s representative for the civil administration Brig Usman who was finally admitted when he introduced himself.

Former DGPR and columnist Col Ikramullah was repeatedly disturbed by a policeman in civvies. When journalists protested, he also misbehaved with them. He was later identified as Badami Bagh SHO Shabbir Shah. The leg of a policewoman was reportedly fractured when she slipped controlling the crowd.

Earlier, accompanied by chief secretary Imtiaz Masrur and other senior officials the governor performed the ghusal ceremony with 50 maunds of rose water.

Prayers for the solidarity and integrity of the country and peace especially during Muharram were offered.

A large number of people, including women from all over the country, attended the annual ceremony with enthusiasm and fervour.