With leg in hand, amputee’s family fights for justice

Victim was shot eight times, allegedly by politically-connected goon

LAHORE: Carrying his amputated leg with them, the family and neighbours of a man who was shot eight times by a politically connected goon, protested against the police at the Lahore Press Club on Monday.

The victim, identified as 25-year-old Azeem, was allegedly attacked by a Missri Shah local named Shahid Bhalli on May 24. The suspect reportedly enjoyed the backing of a senior political figure in Mughalpura.

Azeem was admitted to Services Hospital in critical condition. After a major surgery, the victim was shifted to the Doctors Hospital where his right leg was amputated on Monday. The family was devastated as Azeem was turned into a differently-abled person before their very eyes.

The protesters, carrying Azeem’s amputated leg, gathered outside the press club, blocked the road and chanted slogans against city investigations police. They alleged the cops were supporting the suspect and were reluctant to take any action against the man.

On May 24, at around 11:30pm the suspect and his two accomplices allegedly ambushed Azeem as he was on a motorcycle to meet relatives. The gunmen opened fire and shot Azeem eight times. One bullet pierced his palm and another seven went into his leg.

Muhammad Nadeem, the father of the victim sells nimko. His son Azeem used to work at a shop in the iron market, while his other sons were labourers.

“I am heartbroken because my son is now handicapped for life. Due to abject poverty, l had to work very hard to bring up my children,” said Nadeem.

“I have grown old and was thinking of staying home as Azeem was supporting me financially. We were already struggling to make ends meet and now this brutal attack by Shahid has put us in great trouble.”

Talking to The Express Tribune, Azeem said that the attacker was cruel. “When I fell to the ground after being hit by seven bullets, he came close to me and fired a bullet into my knee at point-blank range. He asked me how it felt; never being able to walk again.”

The father of the victim said Azeem was traumatised after the attack. “He often gets up from his sleep; screaming, despite taking the sedatives prescribed by doctors.”

“My woes do not end here as my other children also fear death. Shahid is still roaming the streets and is escorted by dozens of accomplices,” said Nadeem. “Police are not doing anything to help us,” he added. In April, Nadeem and his sons had an argument with Shahid who had beaten up his son twice for passing through the street on a motorcycle. Members of both the parties had suffered injuries in the incident.

Investigation Officer Muhammad Ashraf told The Express Tribune that an eye of a minor girl in the area was affected when a fight broke out between the two parties. Nadeem’s sons opened fire after Shahid attacked them with a sharp-edged stick, he said, adding that the girl was at her house when a bullet hit a window and a piece of glass pierced her eye.

“Police are favouring Shahid because he enjoys the support of a senior politician,” alleged Nadeem. “The case is not being dealt on merit,” he said, adding the cops refused their application for cross-version and medical examination. The same was ultimately granted by a court.

Ashraf said he was waiting for the names of the suspects to be nominated by Azeem’s family in their complaint. He added the police have yet to receive any application of aerial firing or harassment by Shahid. He assured action would be taken according to the law.

After hearing of the protest, CCPO Amin Wains called the protesters to his office. Muhammad Mobeen, a family member of the victim, said the CCPO heard to their grievances and assured them of justice. He ordered officials concerned to take speedy action.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 30^th, 2017.