Muhammad Irtaza
and Sohail Khan
MULTAN/BAHAWALNAGAR
The city remained in the grip of panic on Sunday as Army and police troops patrolled affected areas throughout the day to avert any Saturday-like situation. The district administration also imposed section 144 PPC and banned gathering of more than two persons.
While in Bahawalnagar, more than 60 persons were arrested on charges of ransacking public property and rioting in Chishtian besides the presence of Army and Rangers averted the possibility of holding any protest.
According to details, Commissioner Multan Division Ali Murtaza told the journalists that 144 would be lifted after two days but the army troops were likely to stay in the city for few more days.
Although rumours regarding sectarian clashes kept circulating in the city, the atmosphere remained peaceful. The riots-affected areas like Ghanta Ghar Chowk, Hussain Agahi, Railway Road, Pul Sootri Wat, Mumtazabad, Bohar Gate, Haram Gate, Khooni Burj, Daulat Gate, Chowk Shaheedan and adjoining areas remained highly tense.
An injured of Saturday clashes namely Warris succumbed to his injuries and he was laid to rest in local cemetery.
Moreover, DCO Zahid Saleem Gondal announced Rs0.5 million as compensation for the bereaved family and Rs75,000 for each injured on behalf of the Punjab government.
Severe clashes between activists of two groups had broken out in Multan on Yaum-e-Ashur when a group of mourners allegedly chanted objectionable slogans outside Jamia Omar Farooq in Bohar Gate area. Angry mobs belonging to both groups gathered at Ghanta Ghar Chowk, Bohar Gate, Chowk Shaheedan, Nawan Shehr Chowk, Haram Gate, Mumtazabad and clashed. Army was called in when the situation went out of police’s control.
On the other hand, the 10-member peace committee constituted by the district administration to maintain sectarian harmony also convened and came up with proposal for ensuring peace in the town. Talking to the journalists, Punjab Minister for Prisons Ch Abdul Waheed Arrain said that although the situation remained peaceful on Yaum-e-Ashur, it deteriorated the next day because of some anti-social elements. “The situation further worsened due to Rawalpindi incident and a storm of post-incident hoaxes,” he added. He hoped that peace would fully be restored to the city and business would resume from today (Monday). He declared that strict implementation of code of ethics would be ensured in future to maintain peace in the city. He told the journalists that religious leaders from all schools of thoughts condemned the incident and extended their full support to restore peace. To a query, he said that some anti-Pakistan elements disrupted peace under a vicious plan. “We’ll thwart their plans and the disruptors will be dealt with iron hand,” he declared.
In volatile Chishtian, Bahawalpur RPO Shahid Hanif, Divisional Commissioner Capt (r) Asad, Bahawalnagar DCO Irshad Hussain (who assumed the charge of his office yesterday), DPO Athar Ismail discussed ways and means to restore peace at Chishtian at a closed door meeting here at TMA office Chishtian. Later, both the RPO and Commissioner left for Bahawalpur while the DCO and DPO remained there to hold talks with local representatives and Ulema and religious scholars till filing of this report.
On the other hand, it remained calm throughout the day as periodic patrolling by Army and Rangers troops restricted any element to protest.
Meanwhile, the police launched a search operation and arrested more than 60 people on charges of ransacking public property and rioting and later were shifted to an undisclosed location for investigation.
On the other hand, people representatives expressed apprehensions over the arrest of people. However, the administration assured them that only responsible elements were taken to task while innocent people would be released after a thorough investigation.
Meanwhile, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam Tehsil President and member peace committee Hafiz Siraj Ahmad Akhon, Traders Association Dilshad Market president Ch Shafique Ahmad and Ismail Shah held responsible Chishtian Saddr DSP Anwar Chishti and SHO Arshad Zaman Rateka for the whole episode, saying that both the police officer allowed the ‘controversial zakir’ to speak despite the orders issued for his gagging. They demanded the police high-ups to take stern action against the police officers whose negligence resulted in law and order situation in the entire district. They also demanded release of innocent people arrested by the police and questioned the police action against the incident citizens.
Meanwhile, Bahawalnagar DCO Irshad Hussain, DPO Athar Ismail and ADC Manzar Javed while talking to a delegation of traders and Ulema in Chishtian said that restoration of peace was their top priority and the administration had succeeded in getting restored peace in the peaceful district of Bahawalnagar. They pointed out that ‘the mistakes’ on the part of the administration would never be repeated to avert any untoward incident. They also sought cooperation of the traders, Ulema and civil society to restore peace and discourage any violence.