Lawyers, police clash outside LHC

LAHORE: Clash has erupted between lawyers and police outside the Lahore High Court on Wednesday over protest against shifting the civil courts from Aiwan-e-Adal to Model Town and registering of cases.

Several lawyers and policemen have been injured as a result of baton charge, shelling, tear gas and stampede.

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Police is also using water cannons to disburse the protesting lawyers who are attempting to enter the Lahore High Court premises.

The violence erupted as lawyers, including members from the Lahore High Court Bar Association, demanded the dismissal of a terrorism case filed against fellow lawyers, and protested against the shifting of a court to a different location.

All gates and roads to the LHC have been shut so that the lawyers can’t enter and those outside and trying to enter are being shelled and dispersed with baton charge and water cannons.

The rally had been announced by the LHC Bar Association so there was already a heavy police contingent present at the scene with anti-riot forces and water cannons.

Initially the rally making its way to the court was peaceful. The police began taking action once the lawyers tried to make their way into the court.

Several lawyers have been arrested.

More to follow