PESHAWAR, Dec 5: Sher Shah Suri Road remained closed for over an hour on Wednesday as residents of Tehkal Bala protested against the local police for ‘manhandling’ women.

“On Oct 16 a group of armed men killed two of my brothers -- Rahat Ali and Sabir Ali -- and injured a sister following a verbal brawl over a minor issue outside our residence at Lala Zar Colony at Tehkal but police avoided arresting the accused,” alleged Ms Saima while talking to media persons.

She said the murderers had temporarily shifted from their house but roaming freely due to police support. She said on Wednesday the armed men backed by police took luggage from their house and when people came out to protest the police manhandled them, including women,” she said and showed her torn clothes and bruises on her body to media persons. She said, the police party was led by SHO Zahoor and Sub-Inspector Tariq Umer.

The accused she named include Azhar, Mazhar, Mohammad Ali, Faqir Mohammad, Hassan and Nawab.

“We repeatedly requested the SP of Cantonment Circle but he did not come to our rescue and left us at the mercy of local police,” she alleged.

The protesters had parked their vehicles in the middle of Sher Shah Suri Road and continuously shouted against police. They demanded arrest of the murderers and suspension of the concerned police officials.

Some of them, including women, tried to commit self-immolation by sprinkling oil on them but the police and media persons snatched the oil from them.

The road’s closure caused immense problems to motorists and passengers. The road was opened when ASP cantonment assured the protesters of taking action against the police officials and the accused.