‘Police lethargy’: Family protest against delay in recovery of abducted woman

She was kidnapped allegedly by her husband’s murderer.

FAISALABAD:

Scores of Chak 580-GB residents staged a protest here on Thursday against the police for their failure to recover a woman who was kidnapped three months ago.

Muhammad Sohna, one of the protesters, said that Muhammad Imran and his five accomplices had killed his nephew Muhammad Arif nine months ago.

He said Nankana Sahib police had conducted an inquiry into the matter on court orders. Imran was found guilty and declared a proclaimed offender. His five accomplices were acquitted getting the benefit of doubt.

Sohna said in June, Imran kidnapped Arif’s widow from Rodala Road police area.

He said a case was registered with Rodala Road police. Assistant Sub Inspector (ASI) Zafar Iqbal was appointed the investigation officer. He said three months had passed, and there had been no progress in the case. He said he and some of his relatives had been regularly visiting the police station, but to no avail.

The protesters sat before Faisalabad Press Club and blocked the Zila Council Chowk for several hours.

They shouted slogans against the police and demanded that the regional police office take notice of the lack of progress and ensure that the police recover the woman.

The Civil Lines station house officer visited the scene and assured the protesters that the investigation would be expedited. Rodala Road police station house officer said that the inquiry was progressing on merit. He said he understood the family’s concern. He said the police had found some clues and hoped that she would likely be recovered soon.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2013.