Rule of law: Residents protest police excesses

They said policemen barged into a wedding and took away cash and jewellery

FAISALABAD: Scores of residents of Chak 102-JB Burj Mandi on Friday staged a protest demonstration against Chak Jhumra and Barnala police, saying some policemen had violated their privacy and taken money from them on gunpoint.  Holding banners and placards, the protesters gathered at Zila Council Chowk where they staged a sit-in. Talking to newsmen, Muhammad Zahid, one of the protesters, said some policemen from Barnala police post had barged into his brother’s wedding ceremony and detained their relatives for lighting fireworks. He said later, the policemen had released them after taking Rs25,000 on gunpoint. Zahid said a few hours later, some policemen from Chak Jhumra police station came to the wedding and demanded Rs50,000.  “When we refused, the policemen misbehaved with the guests and hit several people,” he said. He said they then took away jewellery from the women at the function. The protestors blocked University Road for traffic and chanted slogans against the police.

The protesters said the chief minister and the inspector general should take notice of the incident and take action against police officials involved.  Later, Akmal Ali, a representative of the CPO, met the protesters and assured them that the incident would be investigated and the policemen involved would be taken to task. The protesters dispersed on receiving this assurance.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 23^rd, 2016.