Son of ex-MPA among 150 booked for 'attacking cops'

Son of a former MPA belonging to the Grand Democratic Alliance (GDA) is among 150 persons booked for assaulting police at a picket in Khairpur district on Saturday. A video of the incident, which occurred on Friday night in the rural town of Khanyari within the remits of Akri police station, showed sticks-wielding men pushing policemen.

The FIR was registered on the complaint of Yar Muhammad Bhayo, SHO of Akri police station. He stated that a police team was setting up a picket at a vacant office of a telecommunication company but local people put up resistance. "We wanted police presence in the area to combat crime, especially substance abuse and sale of mainpuri and gutka," he claimed.

Seven policemen were deployed in the picket though they were accompanied by a large number of personnel while trying to set up the post. The SHO alleged that Arsalan Khan Bhanbhan, son of former MPA Dr Rafique Bhanbhan, had warned them over phone against coming to his area without his permission.

SHO Bhayo alleged that more than 150 people attacked the police because of the incitement of Bhanbhan who has also been nominated in the case. He said the building in question was vacant for around 15 years. The cops from five police stations were sent to rescue their fellow cops, who were under attack at the new picket.

Azam Channa, who is also booked in the case, meanwhile, claimed that he owned the land on which the building was constructed. "We have no objection to the existence of a police picket in our area but we can't allow the police forcibly occupying a private property," he added.

Bhanbhan clarified that he had nothing to do with the incident and that the FIR was part of political victimisation of GDA and politicians associated with the party.