THE Sadar Division Police on Monday resorted to baton-charge during separate protests against the murder of a local religious leader by his son-in-law and killing of a youth in an allegedly fake encounter.

In the first incident, about 100 protesters planned to stage a protest demonstration in front of Punjab Assembly by placing the body of Mufti Abdul Hafeez on The Mall. As the protestors reached the Main Township Road and started chanting slogans against police, heavy contingent of police reached there. Police turned violent, resorted to baton-charge and injured several protestors.

The protesters said police were favouring the accused, Huzaifa, and demanded stern action against him. Interestingly, they also demanded killing of the accused in a police encounter. They alleged police of desecrating Mufti Abdul Hafeez’ body by dragging it in an inhuman way. The protesters also accused police of arresting some of the members of the bereaved family, including women.

It is pertinent to mention here that the accused, Huzaifa, went to the house of Mufti Abdul Hafeez, his father-in-law at House No 97, B-II, Township, for reconciliation with his estranged wife a few days back.

During the discussion, the accused went berserk and opened fire at his in-laws. As a result, Mufti Abdul Hafeez’s wife died on the spot Mufti himself, his daughter, Huzaifa’s wife, and other family members sustained bullet wounds. The injured were taken to the Jinnah Hospital where Mufti Abdul Hafeez succumbed to injuries on Monday. However, the condition of other victims was stated to be out of danger.

Talking about the issue, SP (Operations) Sadar Division Police Mansoorul Haq Rana said police had arrested accused Huzaifa, his brother and mother, adding that the investigation of the case was in process on merit. Rana said that there was no need of protest as it just created law and order situation and traffic mess. He said police used force to disperse the protesters after they created disturbance for the commuters. To a question, the SP said that no one was arrested from among the protestors.

In the second incident, locals of Manga Mandi blocked the Canal Road near Shah Di Khui against the alleged torture and fake encounter of one Shahzad, son of Muhammad Riaz of Manga Mandi. The protesters wanted to protest in front of the Governor’s House on The Mall but police stopped them at Shah Di Khui Bus Stop. As police did not let the protestors head towards their destination, they started staging protest demonstration by blocking the Canal Road. They chanted slogans against police and the Punjab government, accusing them of killing Shahzad in a fake encounter, claiming that police killed Shahzad after arresting him on Saturday. They alleged that police had subjected Shahzad to severe torture, resulting in his death.

The protestors, including family members of Shahzad, said police had staged a fake encounter after Shahzad succumbed to injuries received due to torture. During the protest, a woman also fainted as police as police scuffled with protesters.

The police arrested around six protestors during the demonstration who were released later. Protest demonstration resulted in massive traffic jam on the Canal Road. Commuters remained stuck on the road for over one hour. All linking arteries were also blocked due to the traffic mess.

SP Mansoor Rana said Shahzad was a dacoit and he was wanted in two murder cases. He said Shahzad’s family had expelled him from his house over his criminal activities, and claimed that Shahzad was killed in an actual encounter when he was escaping after robbing a citizen.