Desperation : Prisoner commits suicide

Jail Superintendent Babar Hussain dismissed claims that the prisoner was beaten.

FAISALABAD: A prisoner in Faisalabad District Jail committed suicide on Thursday to protest alleged beating by warders. Muhammad Din, uncle of the deceased Muhammad Afzal, told newsmen that Afzal had been at the jail on a robbery charge.

He said Afzal was beaten by jail warders on Wednesday. He said Afzal had complained against the warders to the jail superintendent but no action was taken against them. He said Afzal then swallowed phenyl disinfectant used for prison toilets. He was taken to divisional headquarters (DHQ) hospital after he fainted.

He died at the hospital early on Thursday. When his family got word of his death, they protested against jail staff and demanded action against those responsible. Jail Superintendent Babar Hussain dismissed claims that Afzal was beaten.

“The prisoner was an addict. He was brought to the jail two months ago,” he said. “He swallowed the disinfectant when he could not get the drugs he was addicted to.” The prisoner’s body has been handed over to his family.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 2^nd, 2014.