GUJRANWALA, March 4: Around a dozen policemen, including a Motorway police SHO, injured each other in a clash over an over speeding issue near Khiali By-pass Intersection here on Friday.

Cantonment SHO Tahir Farooq Cheema along with members of his raiding party and heirs of an abductee were chasing the kidnappers in plainclothes in a private car. As they reached Chand Da Qila By-pass intersection, the Motorway police signalled them to stop for over speeding. But the driver increased the speed on the direction of the SHO.

At this, the Motorway police radioed a message about the escape of the car. Meanwhile, another Motorway police officer on patrol duty reached there and started following the car riders.

As the police came close to the car, the occupants informed the Motorway police that they were on some special mission. Later, their car rammed into a stationary tractor-trolley when the driver tried to overtake the Motorway police vehicle at high speed.

Resultantly, the SHO and other policemen sustained minor injuries. Later after a squabble, officials of both the police parties thrashed each other. As a result, officials of both sides, including the Motorway SHO, received injuries. DPO Dr Arif Mushtaq constituted a team to probe into the matter.

KIDNAPPED: A butcher was kidnapped for ransom by unidentified people in Rahwali on Friday. Unidentified men came to Qasim's house and asked him to slaughter their animal at their home in connection with a marriage ceremony.

He went along with them but did not return home till late night. However, his family received a phone call from the kidnappers who demanded Rs2 million ransom. Cantonment police have registered a case.

BLACK DAY: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal observed black day against the government for deleting religion column from passport. They gathered outside Sheranwala Bagh on the GT Road after Friday prayer. They marched on road carrying banners and placards and raised slogans against the government.

Leaders of religious parties and khatibs of mosques criticized the government on deleting the religion column and demanded its immediate restoration otherwise they would besiege the parliament house in Islamabad.