Minor clashes leave many injured in City

LAHORE:Lahore Police ensured foolproof security across the provincial metropolis amid minor skirmishes in different parts of the City on the polling day of General Elections 2024 on Thursday.

The police provided security to 4,357 polling stations and 1,685 polling buildings, with the deployment of over 12,000 policemen. Additionally, 640 pickets were established with a staff of more than 3,000 policemen for the security of 320 ‘A’ category polling buildings.

Similarly, security was ensured on 195 entry and exit routes in the provincial capital. In this regard, Lahore Police's 18 SPs, 44 SDPOs, 84 SHOs, 83 incharge investigations, 166 upper subordinates, over 18,000 constables and more than 1,800 lady police constables performed their duty on election day.

In Defence Housing Authority (DHA), the opponents of an independent candidate of PTI attacked the camp and created panic in the area. However, police reached the scene and controlled the situation.

In PP-173, the supporters of Bilal Yasin and Asghar Gujjar had a scuffle leaving many injured. The victims were shifted to hospital for treatment. The clash between the activists of Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaf (PTI) and Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PMLN) was also reported in NA-126.

However, no major incident or casualty was reported in the provincial capital. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana stated that the police have provided comprehensive security for the peaceful conduct of the elections.

High alerts were maintained in all polling stations across the city on polling day; he added and stated that three-tier security barriers were established for voters' security while senior police officers also remained present in the field.

Kamyana emphasised that the ECP's code of conduct was strictly followed to ensure a fair and transparent electoral process. Control rooms and CCTV cameras effectively monitored the polling process to ensure transparency.

A zero-tolerance policy was implemented on the display of weapons and aerial firing. For the maintenance of peace, Elite, Dolphin squads and PRU teams conducted effective patrolling throughout the city, he added.

Meanwhile, Kamyana conducted a thorough inspection of various polling stations, camp offices and pickets in the City. He meticulously reviewed security arrangements at sensitive polling stations, including Garhi Shahu, Lawrence Road, Model Town, Defence, Cantt, Gulberg, Naulakha, Railway Road and Misri Shah. Accompanied by senior police officers, Kamyana interacted with on-duty police personnel, issuing strict orders to ensure the peaceful conduct of the election.

He instructed relevant authorities to enforce legal action against any violators of the ban on the display and possession of arms under Section 144. Moreover, at least 15,000 rescuers and 21,415 rescue scouts were deputed across the province to cope with any emergency. Secretary Emergency Services Department (ESD) Dr Rizwan appreciated rescuers and scouts of all districts of Punjab for providing emergency cover to General Election 2024. He said that strategic deployment of rescuers and vehicles was done at 2,597 key points. 824 ambulances, 362 fire & rescue vehicles and 2,200 rescue motorbikes performed duties during the entire voting process to ensure timely response to any emergency. After implementation of Code Red all rescue staff and volunteers were called for duty.

Dr Rizwan also appreciated the Emergency Operations Centre and Provincial Monitoring Cell working 24/7 at the Rescue Headquarters for effective coordination and monitoring with all districts in Punjab.