LAHORE: Two unarmed protesters of Pakistan Awami Tehreek were killed in violent clashes with police Friday. Hundreds of baton-wielding workers of PAT forcefully removed barricades near Jinnah Hospital in Lahore. Infuriated PAT workers seized control of a crane and removed it from a security picket set up in Faisal Town. Riot police fired teargas shell to break up the protest.SAMAA TV footage showed a policeman being taken away by the PAT workers.
PAT leader Dr. Raheeq Abbasi defended the conduct of his workers. “Our workers cleared the area which was illegally blocked by the Punjab police."
“We have been telling the police to remove the barricades and allow free movement of their workers as per the law,” he said. Adding that PAT had repeatedly asked police to remove blockage.
On the other hand, officials say they are deploying more policemen in Model Town that houses Minhajul Quran Secretariat, the sprawling estate run by Dr Tahirul Qadri.
On the other hand, officials say they are deploying more policemen in Model Town that houses Minhajul Quran Secretariat, the sprawling estate run by Dr Tahirul Qadri.
Heavy police has been deployed near the Secretariat of Minhajul Quran to push back PAT’s workers.
Reports are coming in that police teams were marching towards MQI Secretariat. PAT's workers have been arrested by the police. According to DIG Police, efforts are being made to bring the situation under control.
Jinnah Hospital administration says that three policemen have been brought to the facility with injuries.
Earlier, PAT leader Qazi Faiz gave a two-hour ultimatum to the Punjab government to remove barricades and containers.
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Leony Li
By
Published: 2014-08-08T11:02:00-07:00
Two protesters killed in Punjab clashes
By
Published: 2014-08-08T11:02:00-07:00
Two protesters killed in Punjab clashes
