Justice demanded: Custodial killing sparks protest

Case registered against a sub-inspector and three constables.

FAISALABAD:

Hundreds of residents of Bawa Chak on Saturday staged a protest demonstration against the death of a labourer allegedly tortured to death in police custody.

On Thursday night, Muhammad Waris, a resident of Chak 7-JB, was arrested by Ferozewala police for his involvement in a robbery case. According to the protestors, the police ‘ruthlessly tortured’ Waris while interrogating him resulting in his death.

When the body of the deceased was brought to his village on Saturday, scores of residents gathered to protest. The protestors blocked the Sargodha-Faisalabad road and demanded immediate arrest of those responsible.

A Millat Town police contingent headed by SHO Kashif Riaz, tried to break the protest but failed. The protestors demanded that a case be registered against those responsible.

The protest ended when Madina Town Police Superintendent Tariq Mehmood assured the protestors that the culprits would be dealt with in accordance with law.



CPO’s spokesman Ameer Nasir Javed told The Express Tribune that the Ferozewala police had registered a case against Sub-Inspector Ameer and three constables involved in Muhammad Waris’s death. He said action would be taken against those found guilty.

Javed said, “Waris was a criminal. He was involved in numerous cases and was wanted by Gojra, Sheikhupura and Ferozewala police.”

“Ferozewala police arrested Muhammad Waris in a robbery case and took him to a CIA investigation centre where he died,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2013.