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Thursday March 28, 2024

Dozens of dengue workers injured, arrested

By Our Correspondent
April 27, 2018

LAHORE: Lahore Police once again resorted to brutality against vaccinators (dengue workers) protesting on Copper Road for their rights and a student gathering outside Lahore Press Club for agitation against abduction of political activists.

Water cannon and tear gas shells were massively used while police also baton-charged the protesters. Disturbing scenes were observed around Punjab Assembly. At the spots, police used blatant use of force that led to injury of dozens of the protesters most of them female. They also took over 25 into custody including women. Police also used water cannon to disperse the protesters. A huge number of dengue workers had gathered outside the office of Director General Health Sciences. They staged a sit-in for quite some time. On failure to their demands being addressed by the authorities, they started marching towards Faisal Chowk in front of Punjab Assembley. Police came in their way. Heavy contingents of Anti Riot Force (ARF), a newly established squad to deal with protesters along with area police confronted them by setting up barricades. The protesters insisted on moving forward and tried to remove the barriers. To which a conflict ensued. ARF, the force that was trained to hold negotiations and deal with protesters professionally so that a replication of the Model Town tragedy could be avoided, proceeded to brutal torture of the protesters. They beat up every one who came in their way, majority of them women. Dozens were injured, few of them severely and admitted to Mayo Hospital for treatment. Few of the injured victims were identified as Ehsan, Sanam, Usama, Shumaila, Tasleem and Sana. When beating, kicking and torturing did not prove sufficient, police resorted to use of water cannon. The protesters in self-defence hurled stones at police. They also broke window panes of few vehicles and buildings.

recovered: The Anti-Vehicle Lifting Staff, Model Town, on Thursday claimed to have arrested vehicle thieves and recovered nine cars and five bikes. Illegal arms were also seized from the arrested accused, identified as Abbas alias Basu and Amjad Khan. A number of cases have also been traced out against them.

The SSP Investigation announced commendatory certificates for the police team. Man dies: A 45-year-old man who had fallen victim to a swinder in the New Anarkali died in hospital on Thursday.

The victim was identified as Jan Baloch, a resident of Karachi. He had come to Lahore for livelihood. A couple of days ago, a swindler gave him some poisonous substance. As a result, his condition went critical. He was rushed to hospital where he died. The body has been removed to moruge. Further investigations are underway.

Two die: A 60-year-old man was run over and killed by a speeding bike in the Sanda police area on Thursday. The victim was identified as Yaqoob, a resident of Rewaz Garden. He was trying to cross a road when a biker hit him from behind. As a result, he suffered injuries. He was rushed to hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. The accused biker fled the scene.

A case has been registered on the complaint of victim’s son Waseem. Police would try to trace the accused with the help of CCTVs of Safe Cities Authority.

Meanwhile, a truck driver was killed by a vehicle in the Sundar police limits. The victim identified as Riaz, a resident of Rahim Yar Khan, had parked his truck on GT Road and slept under another vehicle. The accused driver drove the vehicle on him. As a result, he suffered injuries. He was removed to hospital where he died. The accused driver fled the scene. Student wounded: A student suffered bullet wounds in a fight with another student at a private college in the Raiwind police area on Thursday. The victim was identified as Fareed. He had a fight with one Tauqeer who, with the help of his friends, allegedly attacked Fareed and injured him. The firing incident created panic in the college. The victim was admitted to hospital. Police have registered a case against the accused.