Police on Tuesday registered cases against 106 people for rallying at the Clock Tower Chowk without prior permission and intending to instigate sectarian clashes. Police said the protesters were shouting slogans that could have provoked sectarian violence.
Scores of protesters from the Deobandi sect staged a demonstration to condemn the recent killing of Maulana Shamsur Rehman Muavia in Lahore. They marched on various roads before gathering on the Clock Tower Chowk.
The protesters carried banners and placards condemning the attack.
Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat leaders Maulana Suleman Jhangvi, Azhar Mushtaq, Maulana Munawwar Sajjad and Qari Ateequr Rehman gave what the police said were instigative speeches demanding that the police ban the group accused of killing Muavia.
Police said the protesters were told to disperse. When they did not listen, they arrested 106 of them and registered cases under Section 295-A of the Pakistan Penal Code (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs) and Section 16 of the Maintenance of Public Order Ordinance (dissemination of rumours). No arrests were made.
Police said tight security arrangements had been made to maintain law and order in the district.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 11th, 2013.