Why removal of barriers outside Dr. Qadri’s residence became matter of life and death?

Death of 8 persons including 2 women in Lahore after police opened fired on protesters resisting the removal of barriers outside Dr. Tahir ul Qadri’s residence in Lahore have left any question in the minds of common people.  The media footage of the unfortunate incident demonstrate extreme police brutality and use of force to handle the situation. Both parties are pointing fingers at each other and putting blame on others.

According to Dr. Tahir ul Qadri, the barriers were put in place by the police by the court order.  This is what Dr. Qadri tweeted, “The model town police had said that they could not provide security, after which the court had ordered for the barriers to be put in place.”

Police had also suggested to add more security cameras around the premises. There must be recording of the incident that will help to determine how the simple task of removal of barriers became so ugly that 8 people lost their lives.

Dr. Qadri later tweeted, “This is our first test, we will not bow our heads to them its only a matter of days we will bring the revolution.”

According to reporter Umar Cheema, only 10 policemen came with the team to remove the barriers in early morning. However, Pakistan Awami Tehreek workers resisted and police had to leave the scene. Police later came at about 5:30am. However, more PAT workers had gathered after fajar prayer who pelted stones on police.

At this time Dr. Qadri tweeted, “This is the first test of my workers, they will sacrifice their lives, but they will never bow their heads.”

Umar Cheema further added that at this moment PAT activist announced on loudspeaker “Mujahido it is time for martyrdom.”

Police tried to negotiate with the Mihajul Quran chief security officer Altaf Shah who refused to allow police to carry out the operation to remove the barriers.  Police had to leave the scene once again.

Police arrived at 12:00pm with more policemen and this time opened fire on the protesters. Police was eventually able to remove the barriers but at the cost of eight lives and about 100 injured.

There is no doubt that police acted in a very unprofessional manner and incident has exposed the lack of training and weakness of the police force in handling such situations. However, the political parties are trying their best to cash the blood of the 8 innocent people.

Government must take steps to avoid such barbaric incidents in future. Administration also had to ensure that all the responsible individuals are punished according to the law as soon as possible.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=45422

Posted by Shakira Subhani on Jun 18 2014. Filed under Latest News, Pakistan. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.