LAHORE: Eight people including two women were killed, while 85 others sustained injuries in a clash between the supporters of Dr Tahirul Qadri and the police in Lahore, Express News reported on Tuesday.
The clash started last night when members of the Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) tried to stop the police from removing barriers outside their leaders house in Model Town Colony and party secretariat. Police baton-charged and shelled the demonstrators for not letting them do their job.
Around 53 protesters were also arrested for creating trouble.
The injured, 22 of whom are stated to be in critical condition, were shifted to a hospital for medical treatment. According to hospital sources, the injured also include 17 police personnel.
PAT chief Qadri lashed out at the Punjab government on Tuesday, saying a case would be registered against Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif for the murder of his supporters.
Qadri also held PML-N leaders Chaudhry Nisar, Rana Sanaullah, Saad Rafique and Abid Sher Ali responsible for the clash.
The PAT chief, a citizen of Canada, denounced the polices operation outside his residence in Lahore and termed it state terrorism.
He also criticized CM Punjab for denying responsibility for the killings of his party workers. He said that all those who were killed would receive eye-for-an-eye justice (Qisas).
Qadri stated that the police took action, on the orders of the government, because of his support for the army during the ongoing operation in North Waziristan.
Anyone who stands in support of the army is seen by the government as their biggest enemy, he said, adding that the government has been against the military since the 90s.
Qadri claimed that the government was never in favour of the army operation in North Waziristan and had to approve it since they had no choice.
He alleged that the government was, in fact, trying to regroup terrorists and facilitate them in the name of dialogue.
The PAT chief also said that the other reason for todays police action was to threaten him and his party, as he is meant to arrive in Pakistan within the next few days.
He also said that never had he witnessed anything like this in the 33 years of his political career.
CCPO Lahore Muhammad Shafique Gujjar, in a press conference, said police came under fire while inside the Minhaj-ul-Quran office during the anti-encroachment drive, Radio Pakistan reported.
He added that 53 PAT workers in possession of automatic weapons had also been arrested.
Barriers removed
The police, today, managed to remove all the barriers despite intense opposition, while anti-encroachment officials are busy clearing the area and removing the rubble. Police personnel are present in the locality to monitor the work and ensure protesters are kept under control.
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