Police Torture: Youth ‘flogged’ for reporting on cops dealing drugs

FAISALABAD:

A 17-year-old youth was tortured by police officials after he lodged a complaint against police inaction with the Inspector General (IG) Police, Punjab.

On Sunday, Muhammad Irfan was allegedly taken into police custody after he had recently submitted a complaint against Jhumra City Police for failing to take action against drug dealers operating within and near the police station. Irfan accused the police of supporting the dealers. He told reporters that he was arrested by Jhumra police post in-charge Rana Naseer Ahmed and four constables.“They took me from my home and beat me with sticks and used water torture,” he told reporters. Irfan told reporters that he was cut with a blade and severely beaten. “I have a medical report to prove torture,” he said. A local court has ordered the medical examination of the youth and action against the police officials involved. Irfan said that he was being punished for pointing out the names of cops involved in the drug trade. “My friend recently died of an overdose and his supplier was a cop. I knew I had to come forward,” he said.





Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2011.