ABBOTTABAD: Tension gripped Abbottabad on Tuesday as lawyers took to the streets against the assistant commissioner, accusing him of allegedly ordering the demolition of a water filtration plant being installed at the district courts with funds allocated by the Peshawar High Court.
A large number of lawyers blocked the road outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office and staged a vociferous protest, raising slogans against Assistant Commissioner Afrasyab Bandial and demanding action over the alleged incident.
Addressing the gathering, District Bar Association Secretary Asad Jadoon criticised what he described as an “unlawful act” and accused the assistant commissioner of allegedly misbehaving with senior and female lawyers.
He further alleged that members of the assistant commissioner’s staff had injured a member of the judiciary during the ensuing confrontation. He said the process for registration of an FIR against those allegedly responsible had been initiated.
Earlier, tension had gripped the area amid a confrontation between lawyers and the district administration, after a number of lawyers went to the assistant commissioner’s office to protest against what they termed an illegal action against the filtration plant.
According to the lawyers, work on the water filtration plant was under way at the district courts when the assistant commissioner allegedly intervened and ordered its dismantling. They said the facility was being established with funds provided by the Peshawar High Court for the convenience and welfare of lawyers, litigants and other visitors.
The incident sparked strong resentment among members of the legal fraternity, who demanded an immediate inquiry into the alleged action and sought appropriate proceedings against those responsible.
Meanwhile, an emergency general body meeting of the Abbottabad Bar Association was held to discuss the situation and determine the future course of action.The Bar subsequently announced a strike in protest against the alleged incident and warned that the lawyers’ community could intensify its protest if their demands were not addressed.
