145 traders arrested after clashes with police

LAHORE: More than 145 traders, vendors and labourers were arrested during a protest demonstration against the shifting of the Kot Lakhpat fruit and vegetable market on Monday morning.

Ferozepur Road turned into a war zone as the protesters clashed with police which caused a heavy traffic jam on the main road. Several policemen were injured in clashes with the protesters who also burnt a vehicle of Gulberg Town Administration.

The protest began when angry traders and labourers clashed with police over a step taken up by the city administration in connection with Punjab government efforts to beautify the city.

Police tear-gassed the protesters to disperse them. Several protesters were also injured who were shifted to hospital.

When contacted, Model Town SP Awais Malik said over 145 people had been arrested for attacks on police and blocking the road.

Assistant Commissioner Irfan Memon told APP that police had cordoned off the area and the situation was completely under control.

He said the injured policemen and protesters had been shifted to Lahore General Hospital.

"The project of shifting the fruit and vegetable market was planned after consulting all trader organisations of the market," he added.

He said that a piece of land measuring more than one thousand kanal had been allocated for the purpose and the matter would be resolved soon.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011