DHA security staff shoots 15 villagers

* Dispute erupted as villagers protested DHA’s intention to build pathway for graveyard
* Case registered against 80 guards

By Shahnawaz Khan

LAHORE: Fifteen villagers including a woman were injured when Defence House Authority (DHA) security officials fired at them on Friday.

Sources said that Colonel (r) Farooq, incharge of DHA security, his assistant Captain (r) Baig and 80 guards were installing a gate at a graveyard in Charar village. A large number of villagers tried to prevent them by attacking them. In response, the DHA officials started firing and injured villagers Muhammad Munir, Muratab Ali, Khadim Hussain, Muqadas, Muhammad Mansha, Muhammad Iqbal, Muhammad Asghar, Labha, Malik Nazir, Rizwan, Haji Muhammad Ali, Ghulam Dastgeer, Muhammad Tariq and Boota. An unidentified woman was also injured in the incident. Three officials were also injured after villagers pelted them stones.

Meanwhile, police reached the spot and both parties fled, leaving the injured behind. Police officials immediately rushed them to the hospital where Mr Munir is stated to be in critical condition.

Later, the Defence police registered a case against the security officials on the complaint of Mr Munir’s father Barkat Ali.

Muhammad Aslam, the investigation officer of the case, said that no one had been arrested so far.

Hamayun Bashir Tarar, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) in Defence, said the dispute had erupted over a graveyard pathway.

He said that a side of the Charer Pind graveyard was on DHA premises and the wall of the graveyard had collapsed a few years ago. The villagers had then blocked the way but DHA authorities wanted to construct a pathway for the graveyard.

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