ISLAMABAD: The capital police on Tuesday picked up over a dozen protesters after they created law and order situation on one of the main arteries of the capital, police said.

The PWD employees have been staging demonstrations for the last couple of days and during the protest they blocked Srinagar Highway, the police said, adding that however, every time, except on Tuesday, the police succeeded to get them removed from the highway and reopened it after negotiations.

The capital administration also gave a deadline to the protesters to disperse from the spot on Tuesday and a police contingent was deployed around the PWD office to maintain law and order.

However, the protesters again reached Srinagar Highway and blocked it from both sides, the police said, adding that efforts were made to remove them from the highway in a peaceful manner, but some of them started pelting the police with stones.

In response physical confrontation started between the officials and protesters following which the police resorted to baton charge.

In the process, two police officials sustained injuries.

The police also fired teargas shells and used other anti-riot gear, forcing the protesters to disperse from the road. Some of the protesters were also taken into custody.

A number of protesters went inside the PWD office but the police fired teargas shells at the office to force them to come outside and surrender.

Later a round of negotiations was held between the protesters’ leaders and police officials.

The leaders informed the officials that they would end their protests once their colleagues were released but SSP Operation refused to accept the demand and said those who attacked and injured the policemen would not be released and legal action would be initiated against them.

Published in Dawn, September 4th, 2024