RAWALPINDI, June 1: In retaliation to massive electricity loadshedding in different parts of the garrison city, the residents on Friday went on the rampage, torching Pirwadhai Iesco circle offices and damaging cabin of toll plaza at I.J. Principal Road.

According to eyewitnesses, 400 to 500 protesters carrying bamboo sticks and iron rods gathered outside the Sub Divisional Office of Iesco at around 4pm.

Some of them scaled the wall of the office and broke the main gate paving the way for the others to join them.

The charged protesters ransacked all the office record, furniture and set the building on fire.

Meanwhile, a heavy contingent of Islamabad Police rushed to the scene but avoided entering the office to disperse the mob as the building fell in the jurisdiction of Rawalpindi.

However, after a while, Rawalpindi police headed by SP Rawal Town Ch Mohammad Hanif also reached the spot.

The situation got tense when five security guards deployed at toll plaza fired in the air to disperse the protesters, which provedcounterproductive and the rioters went berserk and pelted police and vehicles with stones.

In retaliation, Islamabad police fired tear gas shells and also resorted to baton-charge and even entered in Rawalpindi Police area to disperse the protesters.

Interestingly, Punjab police personnel remained unmoved, presuming the area fell in Islamabad territory.

Islamabad Police then opened the road at 5:50 pm for traffic.

City Police Officer (CPO) Azhar Hameed Khokhar also visited the site to review the situation.

Islamabads Sabzi Mandi Police have registered a case against more than 200 protesters and started raids to arrest them.

However, Rawalpindis Westridge Police did not register any FIR.

Owing to violent protests, a worst traffic mess was witnessed on I.J. Principal and adjoining roads including Railway Workshop Road, Dhoke Hassu, Bakery Chowk, Range Road, Chak Madad Khan and others, leaving commuters stranded in the sizzling heat.

A large number of passengers left the vehicles and started walking on foot to reach their destination.

A group of protesters also attacked the fruit kiosks along I.J. Principle Road and snatched fruit from the shopkeepers.

On the other hand, a large number of residents of Misrial, Chur Chowk, Afshan Colony and Chakra held a protest demonstration on Peshawar Road against unannounced electricity loadshedding.

Holding banners, placards and sticks, they chanted slogans against the government. They also blocked the road by burning tyres.

Hundreds of Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) activists also demonstrated against power outage and increase in electricity tariff at Committee Chowk.