Green Town shootout – One dead, 10 hurt over cable distribution rights

LAHORE – As many as 10 people were injured and one died in a scuffle between two cable network groups over cable distribution rights in Green Town on Tuesday. The deceased was identified as Qaisar (20), a Satukatla resident.
The injured were identified as Muhammad Hussain, Khaild Hussain, Mazhar Hussain, Akram, Yousaf, Ghulam Murtaza, Faryad and others. The scuffle started between two groups: Faryad Group and Bhola Group on the ownership of a cable contract in PCSIR (Staffers Phase) near Ameer Chowk, College Road, Township.
Bhola Group is operated by Ikram Bola, who owns Max Cable Network, while Farayad Group owns Saher Cable Network. Max Cable was providing cable service to PCSIR (Staffers Phase) residents without receiving an NOC from PSCIR colony officers. Saher Cable, however, on February 24th obtained an NOC to operate the PCSIR cable network.
Subsequently, Faryad asked Max Cable representatives to remove their cables from the colony but Max Cable representative refused, claiming first rights to the colony. Saher Cable staff began laying a cable network in the colony yesterday when armed men from Max Cable, led by the Akram Bhola threatened them. A scuffle resulted. Bhola demanded that Saher Cables remove their wiring.
Upon their resufal Bhola ordered staff to beat Saher Cable staff. The two parties clashed with hockey sticks and iron rods drawn when a Bhola Group member opened fire. Five people received bullet injuries and were rushed to Jinnah Hospital where Qaisar expired with Mazhar Hussain in critical condition. Ghulam Mustafa an eyewitness confirmed that the issue started some days ago and appealed to PCSIR residents to intervene – else the death count may rise.
Saher Cable owner Malik Yameen said they contacted police but police had ‘patched up’ with Max Cable. He alleged police advised them to back out despite their ownership of cable distribution rights. Green Town Police Station SHO Afzal was not available for comment. A case had not been registered against the party till this news was filed.