IGP outraged over recent custodial deaths

Also, CM assures guilty officers will not escape punishment

RAWALPINDI: The Inspector General (IG) of Punjab has issued a warning letter to senior police officials over custodial deaths.

IG Punjab Arif Nawaz expressed extreme displeasure over the deaths in police custody. He was also dismayed over the arbitrary discontinuation of the monitoring of police stations through closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras by district and police officials.

In a letter issued to regional and district police officials, the IG said a zero-tolerance policy was enforced on the monitoring of lock-ups, SHO rooms and front desks at police stations. He added that despite this, the operation of CCTV cameras was suspended.

He expressed that the recent deaths and maltreatment of police custody indicated the irresponsible behaviour of field and senior police officials.

He warned that DPOs, SPs, SDPOs and supervisory officers would be held responsible if any such case surfaced again in future. He asserted that all related officials would undergo a departmental inquiry. He stated that the internal accountability branch had already been issued standing orders which would automatically come into effect on the report of any such incident. He directed police officials to ensure implementation of orders for supremacy of the rule and law.

Punjab Minister of Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Social Welfare Raja Basharat said the government will not tolerate extrajudicial killings and would stand by the affected families.

He was addressing the media along with Mohammad Afzal, the father of Salahuddin, who was killed in police custody. A delegation of lawyers was accompanying them here on Saturday. Earlier, Mohammad Afzal met Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and expressed his satisfaction over the government's actions.

Elaborating on the meeting, Bashart said the CM made it clear that those responsible for the Rahim Yar Khan incident would receive a definitive sentence. He added effective legislation was being introduced to stop such incidents.

The home additional chief secretary was directed to initiate work on the proposed law instantly. Raja Basharat said that at the behest of Mohammed Afzal, the Chief Minister directed the IG Punjab to appoint a DIG level officer for an inquiry. It was also ordered that a fresh autopsy of the deceased be conducted.

The law minister further said that as per the orders of the prime minister, concrete police reforms should be introduced to make the force a true public servant. He added the police would not be allowed to kill civilians with impunity.

Also, the victim’s father Muhammad Afzaal called on the CM. Usman Buzdar expressed his deep sense of sorrow and grief over this sad demise of Salahudin and offered Fateha for the departed soul.

While talking to the father and family members of Salahuddin, the CM said the death of their son due to police torture is highly deplorable and such incidents will not be tolerated in future. New SOPs would be formulated and necessary amendments made in the rules and regulations to prevent such incidents in future.

Instructions have been issued to the Home Department for this purpose. He said the prosecution will cooperate with the bereaved family on every level. Ensuring justice to the family of Salahuddin is now his responsibility, the CM added.

“Justice will be ensured and it will be visible. The guilty will get stern punishment of their deeds. Usman Buzdar, on the demand of the father and other family members of Salahuddin, has announced an inquiry of this case from an officer of the rank of DIG. He said a decision to include anti-terrorism sections will be taken after an inquiry report.

He said that he took immediate notice of this tragic incident and directed for the inquiry. Buzdar said the decision to conduct a judicial inquiry of this incident was taken after more evidence was unveiled and a request for the same was sent to the Lahore High Court registrar.

He said that this decision has been taken to fulfill the requirements of justice.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2019.