An anti-encroachment drive in Nankana Sahib District of Punjab turned violent after resistance from locals.
According to police, angry crowd started aerial firing and stone pelting to force the administration to halt the operation, leaving three policemen wounded. The injured police personnel were shifted to a local hospital Railway Road Bazaar was shut down by traders due to tense situation. Demonstrators also set the office of Auqaf Department on fire and demolished one of its outer walls.
Auqaf Department Chairman Siddique ul Farooq blamed PML-N MPA Zulfqarnain Dogar for leading the violent protests.
Farooq that he himself narrowly escaped the firing.
Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif took notice of the tension in Nanakana Sahib and asked administration and police to submit a report.
“All possible steps should be taken to ensure law and order in the district,” he said, adding that nobody would be allowed to take the law into his own hands