LAHORE – Two policemen have died while 97 other personnel, including officers, received injuries in clashes following protests that continue for the second day against the arrest of Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Hussain Rizvi.
Reports said that a cop was beaten to death by a violent mob near Faizpur Interchange in Lahore while another named Imran Ali lost his life after he sustained injures near the Karol Ghatti area in Lahore.
The wounded officials include two DSPs, five inspectors and sepoys.
Meanwhile, a protester has also died during the clashes while a number of TLP supporters have been arrested in Lahore.
The protests, which are also being held in other cities of the country, cause major traffic disruption, leaving commuters in agony.
Amid intensifying the situation, the Punjab government has deployed paramilitary troops in the provincial capital and other districts.
Furthermore, a case has been registered in Lahore against the Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan (TLP) chief Saad Rizvi under terrorism and murder charges.
Another case has also been registered at Shahdra Town against Rizvi and other leaders of the religious party.
Rizvi was taken into custody by Lahore Police on Monday, sparking protests across the country.
The arrest came days before an agreement with the government related to the expulsion of the French ambassador over blasphemous caricatures is set to expire on April 20.
A leader of the TLP said that the protests will continue till the French ambassador is expelled from Pakistan.