Viral footage exposes police brutality

Cops assault youth outside his house, harass his family, CPO takes notice

RAWALPINDI:

A disturbing incident of alleged police brutality has surfaced in Rawalpindi's Bani area, where policemen from Waris Khan police station allegedly stormed a residential street near Saidpuri Gate and assaulted a young man who was sitting outside his home.

The police officials allegedly manhandled the youth, forcibly took him to the police station and threatened to implicate him in a fake narcotics case. Notably, the house where the youth was sitting does not even fall under the jurisdiction of the Waris Khan police station.

According to details, when residents reached the police station to inquire about the youth, the officials misbehaved even with senior citizens, tearing their collars and treating them with disrespect. However, when CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media, the police released the youth and began pleading with the family to settle the matter quietly.

CPO Rawalpindi, Khalid Hamdani, took serious notice of the incident and appointed SP Rawal as the inquiry officer, demanding a detailed report.

The CCTV footage showed four young men seated on chairs at the ramp outside a house when suddenly, five or six motorcycles arrive carrying police personnel, both in uniform and plainclothes, armed with batons. A plainclothes official approaches the group, saying something to them, and begins throwing their chairs aside. Soon, more police officials, some uniformed, are seen physically assaulting and pushing the youths.

One young man is pushed backwards while another is beaten and forcibly taken onto a motorcycle. Despite being seated, the youth continues to face physical abuse by the officials. Two plainclothes policemen are then seen riding away with him, while other officials scatter in different directions.

As the situation escalated, the family of the victim, identified as Subhan Qureshi, reached Waris Khan police station, where police initially denied any such incident or the youth's presence at the station. When a large number of area residents gathered at the station and mentioned the existence of CCTV footage, the police panicked.

After confirmation of the footage, Subhan was released, and police officials began requesting a compromise. Raja Talha, a resident of the house where the raid occurred, submitted a written complaint to CPO Khalid Hamdani, stating that the officials, both uniformed and in civilian clothes were armed and used pistol butts, fists, kicks, and batons to physically assault Subhan. He added that the police continued to beat him after taking him to the station and threatened to book him in a drug case falsely.

When the elders went to inquire, the police initially denied being aware. Upon entry, the officers misbehaved, abused, and tore the collars of the elderly men. It was only after learning that CCTV footage was available that the police released the victim.

A policeman has been identified who claimed he was acting on the orders of SHO Waris Khan. The video footage is clear and allows identification of all involved personnel.

Raja Talha has appealed to the Chief Minister Punjab, IG Punjab, RPO, and DPO Rawalpindi to take strict legal action against the SHO and all involved officers to ensure justice is served.

CPO Khalid Hamdani, while taking notice of the incident, directed SP Rawal to conduct a thorough inquiry and submit a report. He said misuse of authority and abusive behaviour will not be tolerated under any circumstances. "Rawalpindi Police are committed to accountability and merit-based practices, which will be ensured at all times," he stated.