One of the witnesses told police that the boy had probably come to buy the ice and picked up a small piece. PHOTO: FILE
A 10-year-old boy died on Monday after being attacked by an ice vendor for picking a piece of ice from his stall. The vendor fled watched by a crowd that had gathered on seeing him beat the boy.
Jaranwala Saddar police said the body had been sent for a post-mortem examination. They said they were looking for the suspect.
The station house officer said that Ashfaq Masih, a resident of Chak 53-GB, Dhisian, used to sell ice at a roadside stall.
On Monday, he said, the boy, Muhammad Saqib Ghaffar, a resident of the same locality, took a piece of ice from the stall as he walked past it. On noticing the boy take the ice, Masih grabbed him by the collar and slapped him. Witnesses told the police that when the boy tried to run, Masih hit him with an ice picker, killing him on the spot. Masih fled on seeing the boy fall to the ground.
Muhammad Umar, one of the witnesses, told police that the boy had probably come to buy the ice and picked up a small piece.
“The boy was chewing the piece, when the ice-seller shouted at him for stealing it. He then started beating him up.”He said some customers tried to stop the vendor, but he hit the boy.
Police were informed and the body was sent for a post-mortem examination.
CM takes notice
Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has taken notice of the incident and sought a report from the inspector general of police. The chief minister directed the police not to take the matter lightly and to immediately arrest the suspect. Sharif promised justice to the bereaved family.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 11th, 2013.
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