Lahore: Public sympathy turns to police after 3/3 attack

[Naveed Yaseen]

* People from various segments of society gather at Liberty Roundabout to offer prayers for policemen who died saving Sri Lankan cricketers

By Rana Tanveer

LAHORE: After the 3/3 terrorist attack, there is an overwhelming sympathy for the police among the general public, as the media has repeatedly shown visuals of the barbarity of the attackers, Daily Times has learnt.

Such sympathies for policemen have been witnessed in the city for the second time. On January 10, 2008, a similar feeling prevailed among the general public when 22 people, including 14 policemen, lost their lives outside the Lahore High Court after a suicide attack. People placed flowers at the crime scene and built a monument for the commemoration of the deceased policemen.

In memory: On Sunday, the fifth day after the 3/3 attacks, people from various segments of the society visited the crime scene to place floral bouquets and offer prayers for the departed souls. Members of Punjab Assembly Majida Zaidi, Khawaja Salman Rafique, and Ghazala Saad Rafique were also present. Signboards and banners bearing pictures of the deceased policemen and quotations in their honour were placed at the Liberty Market. Some people have also been visiting the crime scene daily to pay tribute to the deceased. Inspector General of Police (IG) Khawaja Khalid Farooq also deputed a policeman to book the comments of people in this regard.

Muhammad Umar, a visitor who came to the Liberty Roundabout with a bouquet, said the police had previously been considered an anti-public element, but the incident had proved otherwise. He said the image of police had improved significantly after the attack, as he could not imagine that police officials would even lay down their lives to protect the general public.

Asad Ahmed, another visitor, said sympathies for the deceased policemen were not surprising. He said the police had been known for corruption across the country, and the demonstration of bravery from such a notorious institution was rather unexpected. He said the police, under the umbrella of this incident, should take solid measures to restore its image. Lahore Capital City Police Officer Haji Habibur Rehman told Daily Times that the public sympathies had impressed the whole Police Department. He said the department was thankful to the public for providing moral support when it was most needed.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg13_8