LAHORE: Lahore police on Monday accused a religious-political group of staging violent protests and trying to foment unrest in the city, the city’s DIG Operations Muhammad Faisal Kamran said at a press briefing.
Faisal Kamran told reporters that law-enforcement officials had repeatedly engaged the group and tried to persuade its leaders to postpone demonstrations and resolve grievances peacefully. According to the DIG, those efforts failed and the protesters resorted to violence.
“The country moves forward, development projects continue, and yet some groups — pursuing a hidden agenda — try to create disorder,” he said. He added that police had sought a peaceful outcome, but the group persisted with a violent course of action.
The DIG said 112 Punjab police personnel were injured during the clashes; some were discharged after treatment while others remain under care in various hospitals. He also alleged that a number of officers were missing and feared to be in the custody of protesters.
Authorities reported instances of damage to public property, attacks on police stations, snatching of vehicles and looting of valuables, and vandalism on the Orange Line. “We have arrested more than 100 people responsible for spreading disorder,” he said, adding that many of those protesting had previously accepted agreements and now had no justified reason to create unrest.
Faisal Kamran said CCTV and Safe City footage was being reviewed to identify those involved. “We tried to minimise harm to private property,” he said, “but those who used violence will be brought to justice. The state will not tolerate violent actions.”
The DIG urged citizens to go about their daily lives while investigations and clearance operations continue.
