LAHORE: The Punjab inspector general of police (IGP) informed Lahore High Court (LHC) on Tuesday that instead of station house officers (SHOs), the district police officers (DPOs) concerned would be held responsible for any breach of security on court premises.
The IGP made the statement at a hearing by Chief Justice Azmat Saeed. The IGP also submitted a comprehensive security plan for courts in the province during the suo motu hearing following the shootout at Rawalpindi district courts.
The LHC chief had directed the provincial police chief to come up with a security plan after the shootout claimed four lives.
In his report, the IGP said that the police had chalked out a security plan after consultation with representatives of district bar associations. He said that committees comprising bar leaders had been constituted to maintain order on court premises. He further said that instead of SHOs, the regional and district police officers would be held responsible if such incidents occur in the future.
Justice Saeed adjourned further hearing till December 15 and directed LHC Human Rights and Vigilance Cell Director General Kazim Ali Malik to file an inquiry report by then.
Four assailants had gunned down their three rivals as they entered the court premises on November 12. The firing also claimed the life of a passerby. Police had arrested three of the culprits while the fourth managed to flee.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 30th, 2011.
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