Curfew imposed in Rawalpindi as violence claims eight lives
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Protestors block a fire brigade after setting on fire a market outside a seminary during clashes between two groups in Rawalpindi, Pakistan on Friday, Nov 15, 2013.— Photo by AP
RAWALPINDI: A curfew was imposed in Rawalpindi after eight persons were killed and a market was burnt on Friday during a clash between two two groups in relation to the harassment of an Ashura procession in Rawalpindi's Raja Bazar area, DawnNews reported.
Spokesperson for the Punjab government was quoted by tv news channels as saying that that keeping in view the tense situation in Rawalpindi a curfew was imposed in the city.
Authorities also decided that cellphone services would remain suspended in the city until Sunday.
The Jaffria Alliance condemned the violence in Rawalpindi and demanded from the Punjab government to bring to justice those who had resorted to gunfire.
A cloth market situated in Rawalpindi's Raja Bazaar was set on fire by unknown persons while members of the rival groups resorted to stone-pelting and firing.
“The clashes started when a sermon was being delivered from a Sunni mosque which was on the procession route.” Waseem Ahmed, a police official told AFP.
The clash triggered a stampeded in the procession which caused more casualties.
“
The death toll from the clashes have reached to eight people and 44 others are injured,” Qasim Khan, a doctor at Rawalpindi's district hospital, told AFP.
“Among 44 wounded people brought to our hospital, 13 had gunshot wounds,”Khan said.
He said five wounded people were shifted to another hospital.
The violence prompted Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif to take notice of the incident and also seek a report from officials.
Police officer Afzal Hussain told AP earlier that participants of a procession beat to death three men in Rawalpindi, belonging to a seminary, for insulting them as their procession passed the seminary.
The procession members dragged the harassers out of the seminary after hearing the shouted insults and beat them to death, Hussain said.
They also set several shops outside the seminary on fire, he said.
Police tried to stop the clash, but officers were wounded as the two sides threw stones at each other, Hussain said.
All fire brigades in the city were deployed to put out the fire.
An army unit based in Rawalpindi was called in which eventually reached the scene and took control.
Curfew imposed in parts of Rawalpindi following riot at Ashura procession
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Published: November 15, 2013
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Pakistani residents gather near burning shops at a market following clashes during an Ashura procession in Rawalpindi on November 15, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
RAWALPINDI: Authorities have imposed a curfew in parts of Rawalpindi after sectarian clashes erupted at a Muharram 10 procession near Fawara Chowk, that left at least eight people dead and over 80 injured, Express News reported.
Considering the hapless situation, Commissioner Rawalpindi and IG Punjab had requested the authorities to impose a curfew. Reports indicate that cellular services in Rawalpindi might also remain suspended for two additional days.
Rawalpindi city police and a large number of army troops are now patrolling various areas in the city.
The tragedy occurred as mob turned against the police in the procession passing through Raja Bazaar in Pindi.
As Shia muslims massed to mourn, a group of miscreants at 3:00pm reportedly snatched guns from police personnel installed in the area for security, and opened fire.
As panic spread, unknown people set a portion of the cloth market in Raja Bazaar on fire.
The situation soon got out of hand and the army was called in to control the situation.
“The clashes started when a sermon was being delivered from a Sunni mosque on the way of the procession route. The infuriated Shias attacked the mosque and also put a cloth market at fire,” police official Waseem Ahmed claimed.
The
Express News team, along with other media personnel were assaulted by unknown men.
A large contingent of fire brigades, rescue teams and as many as six army companies were summoned to control the situation.
According to Rescue 1122 sources‚ the injured have been admitted in District Headquarters Hospital.
Reports also indicate that a mosque and madrassah were burned down. Ten buildings are known to have been destroyed.
Although the firing stopped, the fire at Raja Bazaar could not be extinguished for a long time.
Chief Minister takes notice
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken a notice of the incident and asked the City Commissioner and RPO Rawalpindi to submit report.
