[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Following a scuffle between the two sides on Wednesday, police used force against Aurat March participants, striking some of them with batons. Three police officers were consequently suspended.
After Interior Minister Rana Sanaullah took notice of the event, summoned, and reprimanded Islamabad Police Chief, Dawn has learned that the low-ranking officers were suspended hours later.
According to a police spokesperson, the constables were suspended on suspicion of using batons on protesters during the annual Aurat March, which started at the National Press Club and finished at D-Chowk on Constitution Avenue to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Although he acknowledged that senior police and administration officials were present at the scene when the event occurred at the march’s beginning point, he claimed that the police officers didn’t receive any orders to use force from their superiors.
According to the spokesperson, there was no specific reason for the police action. He did not comment on whether legal action would be taken against the suspended cops.
Read More: On March 12, 2023, Aurat March will be held in Karachi.
He said Islamabad Police had apologised over the incident and a report had been sought from the deputy inspector general for operations. He said the DIG had been asked to trace those responsible for using force against protesters and initiate action against them.
The interior minister also said in a Twitter post that the cops had been suspended. He said “other persons responsible for misbehaviour” were also being identified and proper action would also be taken against them.
In an earlier tweet, Mr Sanaullah had vowed that “strict legal action” would be pursued against those responsible for the “mistreatment” of citizens participating in the march.
The minister stated that he had taken strict notice of the treatment given to marchers, and he added that the Islamabad police chief had been called to discuss the situation.
The National Press Club’s neighbouring road was earlier blocked by the capital police with containers and barbed wire. Some 100 women and civil society activists arrived at the press club using massive loudspeakers that were mounted on a moving vehicle.
The protesters were asked to continue without the car by the police unit stationed nearby, which had intercepted it. The participants disobeyed the order, nevertheless, and this resulted in some tense confrontations between the marchers and the police.
During the verbal clash, both sides started pushing back each other and all of a sudden, some police officers resorted to striking some women participants with batons. Shortly after getting the information, the DIG operations and SSP operations reached the spot and managed to defuse the situation.
In the meantime, Climate Change Minister Sherry Rehman also reached the venue. A scuffle broke out when the media and camera persons trying to interview Ms Rehman were stopped by some march participants. However, the situation soon came under control after other participants and the police intervened.
Later, Aurat March moved towards the D-Chowk, from where they dispersed peacefully.
Meanwhile, a group of over 200 burqa-clad female students and teachers of Jamia Hafsa, some of them carrying sticks, also marched towards Express Chowk from the G-7 sector.
According to officials, Jamaat-i-Islami also held a rally from Aabpara to China Chowk, and the police also stopped them close to Polyclinic Hospital. Nonetheless, entrance to China Chowk was granted to the participants following talks.
Sirajul Haq, the leader of JI, spoke at the rally.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
