Three women injured after police barge into home in DG Khan

Officials allegedly searched home without warrant and baton charged suspect’s family

DERA GHAZI KHAN: Three women were injured after officials from Saddar police station barged into a home without a warrant to arrest a minor, Express News reported.

Allegedly, four police officials, two in uniform and two in plain clothes, barged into the home of Ghulam Abbas near Basti Jaliwala Chorhata without a warrant in order to arrest 12-year-old Shahzad.

Sources said that when the family members were questioned about the child’s whereabouts, they claimed that he was not at home. Police then decided to search the home and allegedly baton charged the child’s family, injuring three women.

Residents rushed to the spot after hearing the commotion and tried to restrain officials from arresting the child. This led to an altercation between officials and citizens during which the former were injured. As a result, officials called for backup.

On the direction of DSP City Circle Malik Ziaul Haq, Saddar police station SHO Arshad Munir reached the scene with a heavy contingent.

He apologised to residents for barging into the home without a warrant and sent the officials back to the police station.

On their continued protests, the SHO assured citizens that action will be taken against the guilty party.

On the other hand, police officials claimed they were attacked by residents without any reason.

Speaking to Express News, DSP City Circle Malik Ziaul Haq said that a docket has been issued to the injured women and the injured police officials. “Action will be taken against the guilty party after a medical report is received.

Meanwhile, an investigation into officials entering a home without an arrest warrant is underway,” he added. It has not been proven that the officials entered the home as they were attacked by residents outside the property, he maintained.

Allegedly, 12-year-old Shahzad had gone to fetch water using a handcart.

On the way home, his handcart collided with a motorcyclist, breaking his leg in the process. The injured demanded that Shehzad give him Rs0.1 million as compensation which his family was unable to pay. As a result, the motorcyclist registered a case against him.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 3^rd, 2019.