Rangers deployed in Lahore to maintain law and order situation

LAHORE – Violent clashes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police officials outside PTI chief Imran Khan in Zaman Park entered second day on Wednesday.

Police made a fresh attempt to arrest former prime minister Imran Khan on Wednesday morning but they were facing resistance from hundreds of his supporters gathered outside his residence in Zaman Park Lahore.

Intermittent tear gas shelling is ongoing to disperse protesters while police have sealed off all roads leading to Khan’s residence. PTI workers pelted police personnel with stones and bricks to block their effort, prompting them to use a water cannon and baton-charge.

Earlier, a contingent of the Islamabad police with backup from Lahore police on Tuesday engaged in clashs with the PTI workers and supporters on the Canal Road in the provincial capital.

A number of people gathered on Canal Road despite obstructions put up by police hours earlier. The police team from the capital city reached Lahore to arrest Imran Khan in the Toshakhana case. Police and the public clashed on Canal Road as a result of which some people were taken into custody and officials had to resort to baton-charge, water spray and tear-gas shelling.

The caretaker Punjab government has deployed Rangers in Lahore till March 22 to maintain law and order situation in the provincial capital after violent clashes between Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers and police on Tuesday,

According to sources, Punjab Home Department had requested the Centre to deployed Rangers in Lahore after a day-long clashes between PTI workers and police.

The Interior Ministry on the recommendation of Centre has approved the deployment of Rangers in Lahore. Sources informed that three companies of Rangers have been deployed in the provincial capital till March 22 to maintain law and order situation.

Speaking to reporters, DIG Operations Shahzad Bokhari, who was clad in riot gear, said the team had arrived to arrest the PTI chief. He said police had warrants for the arrest of Imran Khan who failed to appear before the court. Reports said the DIG was injured amid the police’s clash with the PTI activists who pelted stones. He was later shifted to the hospital for treatment. Several other policemen were injured and taken to the Services Hospital for treatment. Police also took into custody scores of assailants.