Clashes with police kill two lawyers; Sharif orders probe

At least two lawyers were killed on Monday in clashes with <g data-gr-id="34">police</g> when an anti-encroachment drive turned violent in Punjab province’s <g data-gr-id="29">Daska</g> city, forcing authorities to deploy paramilitary forces to contain the unrest.

The incident occurred after police and the district administration were carrying out an anti-encroachment operation in <g data-gr-id="32">Daska</g> city when a group of lawyers asked them not to bulldoze a few shops as the matter was pending in a court.

The police, however, went ahead with the drive that led to clashes with lawyers and local residents.

Three lawyers sustained bullet injuries after police opened fire. All the injured were rushed to a nearby hospital where Rana Khalid Abbas, president of the <g data-gr-id="28">Daska</g> Bar Association and another lawyer succumbed to their injuries.

The lawyers alleged that station house officer of <g data-gr-id="35">Daska</g> Shahzad Warraich opened fire on the protesting lawyers.

As the news of the killings spread, the lawyers’ fraternity took to streets in different districts of Punjab and protested against the police brutality.

The angry mob torched the Deputy Superintendent of Police’s office and pelted stones on <g data-gr-id="30">Daska</g> police station.

Taking note of the incident, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif ordered a probe, seeking a report from the authorities concerned. 

“Nobody will be allowed to take the law into their own hands,” Sharif said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Pakistan Rangers were called in <g data-gr-id="27">Daska</g> tehsil of Sialkot district of Punjab to control the deteriorating law and order situation.