Lahore High Court notice lawyers and police clash in Samundri

Lahore High Court Complaint Cell took notice of a press report on administrative side regarding Lawyers and police clash in Samundri outside the district courts leaving about 15 advocates injured.

The Cell has directed the District & Sessions Judge, Faisalabad to look into the matter and submit detailed report regarding steps taken by police along with his own comments within a week.

According to details, lawyers were protesting outside the courts in Samundri against the arrest of their fellow, Latif Warraich, by the police. They had locked main gate of the court premises in order to foil appearance of the arrested lawyer. Policemen tried to force their way in that led to an exchange of harsh words with the lawyers. A police team rushed to the spot and allegedly baton-charged lawyers who were blocking the way. The lawyers also retaliated. Injured lawyers were shifted to DHQ Hospital where some of them were admitted. Those injured advocates were identified as former Samundri bar president Naveed Irshad, Amjad, Yasir Hafiz, Waheed Aslam, Irfan Ali, Yaseen Saleem, Nazir, Rashid Mahmood and Asif Tatla.

Khan Afzal Khan, a member of the bar, told media that police brutally tortured his fellows, fired in the air and resorted to shelling when they were sitting in the bar room. He said they were protesting against police for arresting a senior lawyer without any reason. However, police claimed the lawyers had locked the gates that they had to unlock themselves and produce the accused before the courts.

Lawyers of Faisalabad division had announced a daylong strike and demanded the arrest of policemen allegedly involved in roughing up lawyers. The city police officer suspended the Samundri SHO from service on charges of torturing lawyers and a case under Section 155-C of the Police Order was registered against him.