Baa-ing at prison blues: SHO puts 48 goats in DI Khan lock-up

DI KHAN: Inmates have been called jailbirds and prisons have been called farms, but DI Khan’s Yarak police station has found a new animal to add to the mix – jailed goats.

In a surprising move, at least 48 goats have been taken into custody by the police. The goats were caught three days ago from Kari Malang village.

The Express Tribune learned on Wednesday, Yarak SHO rounded up 48 goats and locked them inside the police station. “The goats are in our custody and we are holding them because the goat owners opened fire on us,” said a Yarak police official on condition of anonymity.



“SHO Salim Khan Mehsud and his team were patrolling Kari Malang when he signalled some shepherds to stop. Instead, they opened fire on the police and escaped,” he said.

“The suspects are criminals and cases have been registered against them at the police station.”

Meanwhile, the SHO has refused to set free the goats despite intervention from district nazim Azizullah Alizai, Dera tehsil nazim Umar Amin Gandapur and others. While speaking to The Express Tribune, Hathala UC district member Sardar Yunas said, “I will raise the issue in the district assembly as the SHO’s action could endanger the life of the goats.”

He commented, “Whether this act is according to law or not still remains a mystery.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2016.