ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Rehman Malik on Saturday accused the Punjab government of sending police personnel to participate in the violent protests in Islamabad.
Talking to media persons at Polyclinic Hospital after inquiring about the health of police officials who were injured during violent demonstrations on Friday, Rehman Malik said the Islamabad Police arrested six officials of the Punjab Police, who were later released by their colleagues in the federal capital.
“I have suspended the assistant sub-inspector for releasing the arrested Punjab cops,” he said. Rehman Malik said an inquiry has been ordered into the matter. He said the Punjab Police personnel were entering the Convention Centre in Islamabad.
He said the elements behind fomenting chaos and disorder for the sake of a few pennies would be brought to justice.
“We strongly condemn those who were involved in creating chaos and disorder for minting a few pennies. We have summoned footage of demonstrations to ascertain the details about the elements that indulged in looting and ransacking of properties”, he said. The minister said the miscreants would be arrested from their homes and brought to justice.
He said the government had announced to support the protest on the eve of Yaum-e-Ishq-e-Rasool (PBUH) and provided a stage to the people to record a peaceful protest, but they could not come up on the stage.
Rehman Malik said the IG Islamabad has informed him that 62 persons had been nabbed under the charges of ransacking and damaging public property.
“People say police flee from the scene and do not hold the ground to face the demonstrators. Today I say proudly that the police does not run and faces the situation. I announce a Sitara-e-Jurrat medal for the injured ASI and an order for the promotion of injured constables to the rank of ASI,” he said.
IG Islamabad Bin Yameen told the reporters that security was put on high alert in the federal capital on Saturday.
He said about 50,000 to 60,000 people wanted to enter the Diplomatic Enclave on Friday but they were stopped by a handful of policemen.
He said eight dacoits were also apprehended and four motorcycles were recovered from them which were snatched from protesters.