Drug Peddlers: Citizens protest against Saddar police
35 people from Naveed Colony, Khalid Town and Muslim Town stage a protest demonstration against Saddar police
35 people staged a protest demonstration against Saddar police, accusing officials of patronising narcotics dealers in the area. PHOTO: AFP/ FILE
FAISALABAD:
As many as 35 people belonging to Naveed Colony, Khalid Town and Muslim Town on Saturday staged a protest demonstration against Saddar police, accusing officials of patronising narcotics dealers in the area.
Rana Saleem, who was leading the protest alleged that drug peddlers had been active in their area and the police had shown reluctance in taking action against them despite dozens of complaints.
He said, “Whenever people catch drug peddlers and hand them over to the police, the police let them go after instead of registering cases against them.”
The protestors also staged a sit-in in front of city government’s secretariat and blocked the Zila Council Chowk by erecting pickets, suspending traffic for several hours. The protestors chanted slogans against the police and demanded action against police officers who they said were patronising narcotics dealers.
Civil Lines SHO Hafiq Irfan, Rail Bazaar SHO Muhammad Asim Arshad and Jhang Bazaar SHO Muhammad Abid arrived on the scene and assured the protesters that the matter would be taken up before senior officers.
A police spokesman said, “ The Operations SSP has taken serious notice of the protest and has issued orders for an inquiry in this regard.”
“The Saddar SHO has been appointed the inquiry officer. He will submit his report in a few days,” the spokesman added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2013.
As many as 35 people belonging to Naveed Colony, Khalid Town and Muslim Town on Saturday staged a protest demonstration against Saddar police, accusing officials of patronising narcotics dealers in the area.
Rana Saleem, who was leading the protest alleged that drug peddlers had been active in their area and the police had shown reluctance in taking action against them despite dozens of complaints.
He said, “Whenever people catch drug peddlers and hand them over to the police, the police let them go after instead of registering cases against them.”
The protestors also staged a sit-in in front of city government’s secretariat and blocked the Zila Council Chowk by erecting pickets, suspending traffic for several hours. The protestors chanted slogans against the police and demanded action against police officers who they said were patronising narcotics dealers.
Civil Lines SHO Hafiq Irfan, Rail Bazaar SHO Muhammad Asim Arshad and Jhang Bazaar SHO Muhammad Abid arrived on the scene and assured the protesters that the matter would be taken up before senior officers.
A police spokesman said, “ The Operations SSP has taken serious notice of the protest and has issued orders for an inquiry in this regard.”
“The Saddar SHO has been appointed the inquiry officer. He will submit his report in a few days,” the spokesman added.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 4th, 2013.