3 policemen martyred in clash with TLP protesters in Lahore

Police fire teargas shells on TLP supporters during a march in the direction of capital Islamabad from Lahore on October 22. — AFP


Three policemen were martyred and numerous others injured in clashes with people of the proscribed Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) in Lahore, officers said on Friday.

In a assertion, Lahore DIG (Operation) Spokesperson Mazhar Hussain diagnosed of the slain officials as Ayub and Khalid. The identification of the third legit has not but been ascertained, but a assertion from the provincial chief minister said that three policemen were martyred.

3 policemen martyred, numerous others injured
TLP leaders declare at the least 500 employees injured, several killed
internet services suspended in numerous areas in Lahore
TLP reverts to authentic function; will now not negotiate with executive till chief Saad Rizvi is released
Protesters plan to begin march to Islamabad at sunrise
Hussain said that numerous others had been also injured and brought to the medical institution in crucial situation. “Protesters additionally hurled petrol bombs on officers,” he said, including that officials tried to save you them from vandalising and unfavorable public property.

“The irritated mob extensively utilized sticks and pelted stones,” he said, adding that officers were showing restraint regardless of the violence.

meanwhile, Lahore police spokesman Arif Rana instructed Reuters that officials fired teargas after the TLP supporters attacked a police checkpoint.

they’d clashed with the police at several locations in the metropolis, he stated. “that they had assured us that they may continue to be non violent however they turned violent,” he instructed Reuters.

A TLP media coordinator, Saddam Bukhari, said the police attacked the peaceful rally that turned into on its way to Islamabad.

In a separate declaration, a spokesperson for the banned institution said that employees had continued the “worst shelling in history” and had been “attacked from all aspects” close to the Mao university Pul. via late Friday night, the protesters had managed to attain Azadi Chowk, in which they staged a take a seat-in for the night. The institution’s leaders stated they plan to go away for Islamabad at sunrise.

The spokesperson claimed that as a minimum 500 workers have been critically wounded even as numerous had died.

meanwhile, Punjab chief Minister Usman Buzdar provided condolences and prayed for the deceased officers. He assured their households that the provincial authorities stood with them of their time of grief.

The chief minister additionally directed officials to take strict movement against those responsible for the incident. “Rule of law need to be ensured in any respect costs,” he stated, caution that no one could be allowed to take the regulation into their arms.

He also directed officers to make certain the fine possible scientific facilities for the injured policemen.

Punjab government committee for talks
Quickly after 4pm on Friday, the Punjab CM announced that a committee comprising provincial regulation Minister Raja Basharat and Prosecution Minister Chaudhry Zaheeruddin were shaped to negotiate with the proscribed organization.

but, because the violence erupted in Lahore, an announcement issued with the aid of the proscribed group stated that negotiations might no longer take place until TLP leader Saad Hussain Rizvi is released.

“They referred to as us for talks, however attacked our workers from the lower back,” a assertion by using the organization’s spokesperson stated. He claimed that “heaps” have been seriously injured and many had bullet injuries.

“Now, the TLP leader will lead the negotiations,” the spokesperson said.

The declaration reiterated what the institution had in advance demanded of the government.

Addressing a charged crowd at a protest in Lahore, Qadri had said that a “non violent” procession could start after Friday prayers. “If any hurdles are created, the party additionally has a Plan B to thwart any legitimate attempts,” he had stated.

(Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)

Arrangements in Lahore
Meanwhile, Lahore chief traffic Officer (CTO) Muntazir Mehdi stated in a statement that visitors glide turned into as in line with ordinary on all entry and exit points of the town in addition to on Ferozepur road, jail road, Wahdat avenue, Mall road and Canal avenue.

He said that traffic also remained unaffected in Chungi Amar Sadhu, Thokar Niaz Baig, Chung and Mohlanwal regions, as well as on GT road.

But, roads connecting Babu Sabu to Scheme Morr and Scheme Morr to Yateem Khana Chowk have been closed for site visitors, even as a protest by blind folks is below way at Secretariat Chowk, he said.

Citizens can touch the 15 helpline for information, he added.

The authorities additionally suspended net and cellular cellphone offerings within the TLP strongholds of Samanabad, Sherakot, Nawankot, Gulshan-i-Ravi, Sabzazar and Iqbal town. however, citizens have been also dealing with cell connectivity problems in different areas of Lahore.

In a notification issued on Friday, the interior ministry also ordered the suspension of internet services inside a five-kilometre radius of data Sahib, Shahdara and New and old Ravi Bridge areas. The notification said that the services would continue to be suspended until further orders.

(Photo by Arif ALI / AFP)

Preparations in Islamabad
In an announcement, a spokesperson for the Islamabad traffic Police stated traffic become diverted from Rawalpindi’s and 9th avenue and advised citizens who wanted to visit Pindi thru the Faizabad Interchange — which has been blocked all through TLP protests within the past as well — or ninth avenue to apply the IJP Raod alternatively.

“Diversion has been located for both aspects of traffic at Murree road, Faizul Islam stop, from and to Faizabad. alternatively, traffic going from Islamabad to Murree avenue, Rawalpindi, is diverted to Islamabad highway.

“Diversion has been placed for each facets of visitors from express Chowk to D-Chowk at Jinnah road. instead, Nadra Chowk and Ayub Chowk may be used for entry and go out to the crimson sector,” in step with the declaration.

in addition, diversion has been positioned for visitors from Islamabad highway to IJP Rd at Sohan stop. The site visitors is diverted instead to Faisal avenue, the statement added.

The metro bus carrier changed into suspended in Rawalpindi however turned into running from the stop on IJP avenue to the Pakistan Secretariat, the spokesperson stated.

Police assets stated 24 TLP employees had been arrested ahead of the march even as officers who were on go away have been referred to as lower back to duty.

Senior law enforcement officials in advance told sunrise that approximately 3 dozen boxes had been organized to put on special roads, inclusive of Islamabad freeway, to forestall the TLP from getting into the capital or staging a take a seat-in at Faizabad Interchange.

The containers were being added to the Faizabad Interchange and placed on the roads at nighttime. except, nicely-geared up police personnel had been deployed in and across the interchange.

Police had been also deputed on the entry point of the capital at Tarnol, Rawat and Bhara Kahu. moreover, boxes have been arranged to dam the roads at those three points but a final path turned into awaited from the higher authorities.

Over 2,000 police officers are being deployed at the primary factors, which includes the entry factors, to counter the TLP’s march, the officers stated.

The police lines headquarters released 1,500 anti-riot gear kits for the contingents to be deployed.

Preparations in Rawalpindi
in the meantime, the Rawalpindi visitors Police completed arrangements to address the long march. In a announcement, it said Murree road and Rawal road had been closed for commuters even as antique Airport avenue and Mall avenue are open.

additional policemen had been posted on the excessive court docket Chowk and Mall road to ensure the smooth waft of traffic, it stated.

The district administration sealed Gawalmandi, Saddar road and Kamran marketplace areas.

Protests in Lahore
The TLP had resumed protests in Lahore in advance this week by way of staging a big sit down-in on Multan road close to its headquarters at Masjid Rehmatul-lil-Aalemeen.

loads of activists and employees of the proscribed TLP participated within the sit-in to position pressure on the Punjab government for the release of its leader.

Rizvi is detained by way of the Punjab authorities considering the fact that April 12 for “maintenance of public order (MPO)”. He changed into initially detained for three months and on the other hand underneath the Anti-Terrorist Act on July 10. A federal review board is scheduled to absorb the authorities’s reference towards him on Oct 23.

A division bench of the LHC is but to be constituted to hear an appeal of the authorities towards a choice of a single bench that had set aside the detention of the TLP leader. The ultimate courtroom had on Oct 12 suspended the operations of the single bench’s order and remanded the case for a fresh decision through a department bench.

an afternoon in advance, the Punjab police allegedly detained over 1,000 activists and workers of the TLP at some point of a crackdown that became intensified throughout the province after the group announced the long march.

Dozens of fourth schedulers of the proscribed organization had been also amongst those taken into custody from all 36 districts of the province except at least 40 in Lahore, an authentic privy to the improvement told sunrise.