You have to stand guard over the development and maintenance of democracy, social justice and the equality of mankind in your own native soil. [Mohammed Ali Jinnah]

Saturday, February 9, 2008

FAST faculty member arrested

Umayr Hassan (faculty member, FAST NU, Lahore) gets arrested. He was attending lawyers rally at Islamabad today alongwith some SAC members.
 
SAC and FASTRising members there at Islamabad are trying to locate the thana where detainees have been kept.
 
Police is extremely aggressive today, visiting hospitals and arresting activists from there who are trying to get treatment.
 
Athar Minallah (spokeperson of CJ) has also been arrested.
 
At least one activist has been taken to emergency after police torture.
 
Iqbal Bali (age: 65+), a veteran activist, is still missing.
 
Hassan

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1 comment:

junyDada said...

Sketchy details coming in from Islamabad:

If anyone wishes to show solidarity with those injured and affected by the police attack can reach Aitzaz Ahsan’s residence in Islamabad.

The rally was stopped by a very large posse of police (over 1000). Barbed wire was laid out on way leading to Aitzaz’s residence. As the group neared the barbed wire, police took up positions with tear gas guns, batons and bricks in hands.

As soon as those in front crossed the barbed wire, they were hit with high pressure jets of cold water from water cannons. The citizens moved backwards to take cover and the police lunged forward with their batons, and started throwing stones and bricks at the citizens. Some students and citizens were hurt in the process. In the meantime, to stop the police onslaught, stones were thrown back at the police in self-defense.

Moments later, heavy tear gas shelling started. Marriott Hotel, which was nearby, refused to give water to those affected by tear gas. In contrast, staff from offices in Software Technology Park building sent containers and coolers of water for the injured protesters.

International media was present and was also horrified at the unprovoked and brutal attack by the police.

At the moment, there is confirmation of arrest of Tahira Abdullah and also Umayr Hassan a faculty member of FAST NU (FASTRising), Lahore. Arrest of Athar Minallah is still being confirmed.