RAWALPINDI - Authorities have extended the curfew for another 24 hours in Rawalpindi in the wake of sectarian tension.
According to reports, administration fears that violence could erupt again after the killing of 10 people during Friday's clash at Raja Bazaar.
The Punjab provincial government imposed curfew in different parts of Rawalpindi including Potohar Town, Rawal Town, Raja bazar, Cantonment areas after violent clashes between two groups and the curfew will remain in place unless the situation is improved, an official said.
Meanwhile, Punjab government has set up a five-member committee to probe the violent clashes. Law Minsiter Rana Sanaullah will head the committee comprising Chief Secretary, Commissioner Rawalpindi, Interior Secretary and IG Punjab. The committee will investigate the matter and present its report to the chief minister within three days.
Tension is still prevailing in the different areas of the city while people are also being forced to stay indoors to avoid any untoward incident. The law enforcement agencies have also arrested eight suspected persons on Saturday in various areas of the city.
The clashes between the two groups erupted when a mourners’ procession of Muharram 10 was on its way through Fawara Chowk in the town. A group of miscreants at 3:00pm reportedly snatched guns from police personnel deputed for security, and opened fire, sources said.
The panic spread and the unknown miscreants set a portion of the cloth market in Raja Bazar on fire. The situation soon got out of hand and sensing the gravity of the situation, Chief Commissioner Rawalpindi and Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab had requested the authorities to impose a curfew.
A large number of army troops and Rawalpindi police personnel were patrolling in the various areas of the city. Aerial surveillance of the city was also conducted and helicopters kept flying over the city on Saturday.
The law enforcement agencies also placed shipping containers at Faizabad and blocked Murree Road while security has been tightened at all worship places of the city. Emergency has also been declared in all hospitals and mobile phone service was suspended as a security measure.
Taking notice of the incident, Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif directed police to arrest the culprits involved in the incident and assured judicial probe into the incident will be done.
According to a Punjab government spokesperson, the curfew was imposed to bring the situation under control following the deadly clashes and the subsequent unrest, which is feared to spark off more untoward incidents to the peril of local residents.
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