All that’s wrong

What do you do when the very people who vow to guard your life end up being the ones taking it?

Saarysh Zuberi June 12, 2011
What do you do when the very people who vow to guard your life end up being the ones taking it?

On Wednesday, a horrific incident unfolded when some Rangers personnel shot dead a young man at Benazir Bhutto Park in Karachi.

Initially, the police and Rangers claimed they were informed that a dacoit had held a family hostage in the park. According to the security personnel, they went inside the park and asked the man to surrender, and when he refused, he was shot “in retaliation”.

However, video footage of the incident shot by a cameraman shed new light on the official version of the unfortunate event. It became clear that 19-year-old Sarfaraz Shah died after he was shot at point-blank range - and he was unarmed.

As it turns out, Shah suffered bullet injuries in the thigh and the hand and died as a result of excessive bleeding. Doctors at Jinnah Hospital, where he was taken over half an hour after being shot, said if he had been brought in earlier, he would have, in all likelihood, survived. The incidental clip of the shocking event begins with Shah being handed over to the Rangers. He was unarmed from the beginning [his weapon had been seized] and was asking the Rangers for forgiveness, saying he was robbing out of desperation.

Five Rangers personnel surround the young man. Feeling the obvious threat, the boy begs them not to shoot. They shoot — twice. The young man screams in pain, yelling “My arm! My arm’s gone!” He looks around at the security personnel for help, whimpering in pain, begging them, “Please, please take me to a hospital, save my life.”

The Rangers walk away. The man curls up on the ground and the video ends there. I don’t feel sorry for Shah. Why should I? The man was robbing someone after all – he even admits it in the video. But what the Rangers did is a far greater wrong, and they’re supposed to be the ones enforcing the law. So where do we go from here?

Authorities have registered a case against the Rangers personnel involved in the shooting is what we’re told. Prime Minister Gilani has ordered an inquiry into the incident.

We all know how that goes – or have we already forgotten the Sialkot lynching?
WRITTEN BY:
Saarysh Zuberi An independent filmmaker, currently working as a sub-editor at the National desk of The Express Tribune.
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (11)

Naila | 13 years ago | Reply No doubt he was involved in criminal activities but the way shoot out not acceptable for any human being and any religion. There is big question mark on our Rangers skills to handle such type of circumstances even accused without weapon. We all seen the videos that four rangers surrounding around him and nobody come forward to capture him from arm or head.
Asma Shah | 13 years ago | Reply There is always a punishment for every offence but death penalty is the last thing on the list. Even if for a while I agree with the rangers side of story yet they had NO RIGHT to kill any one with this kind of crime [if it was made] . and what about the law procedures the fir the trail ,you can never call a accused guilty until it is proved so the rangers act is HIGHLY CONDEMNED and should be from every one out here. If we will start killing people like this then soon it will be us or any of our dear one who will be affected by this sort of proceed. It is not about paying sympathy to a robber or dacoit, it is about standing for ones right of life and justice plus top of it rectifying the ill behavior which now days is seen and observed every where as there is no value of any ones life. Shah may not be a hero but defiantly the rangers have acted as a criminal on the stance of humanity and law and order.
VIEW MORE COMMENTS
Replying to X

Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.

For more information, please see our Comments FAQ