‘Teen shot by cops might never walk’

Two policemen arrested, Rizvia police station SHO suspended

KARACHI:

The family of an eighth-grader who was shot by police in the early hours of Wednesday said that he might not walk again while calling for strict action against the policemen involved in the shooting.

Ayaan Imran, 16, was allegedly shot when he was returning home with a friend, each on separate motorcycle, at around sehri time.

The friend told the family that they saw a police mobile van parked on the other side of the road near the Golimar underpass in the Rizvia area, while men in plainclothes pulled them over. One of them grabbed his hand due to which he along with his bike fell on the road.

Ayaan was driving in the centre of the road, the friend told the family. By the time he stopped to check on him, the police had already shot him in the back.

The family, quoting the friend, said that the men in plainclothes filmed the teen as he lay bleeding on the road.

Ayyan was rushed to the Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, where doctors referred him to the Liaquat National Hospital due to his precarious condition. He was under critical care with the bullet still lodged in his body.

The family of the injured teen, relatives and area residents protested on Stadium Road, calling for action against the station house officer (SHO) of Rizvia police station and the police party responsible for the shooting. They demanded that a case be registered against them.

They accused the police of targeting ordinary citizens and allowing street criminals and dacoits to roam free.

Noman Saif, the boy's uncle told The Express Tribune that the victim's family had limited means. "The father is a labourer and the boy is the eldest of three siblings. They can't afford treatment," he said. "My nephew might never walk again."

SSP Central Maroof Usman visited the hospital and spoke to the family. He told them that the Rizvia SHO had been suspended and the police constable responsible for the shooting, identified as Safdar, had been taken into custody. An investigation committee, headed by SSP West Investigation, had been formed and it includes the SP of Liaquatabad and the Nazimabad DSP, he said.

He told the parents that the SSP Central Office would bear the expenses of the boy's treatment. He assured them of complete support of the police force including in pursuing charges against police officials involved in the incident.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 30^th, 2023.