Not doing enough: Citizens take to the streets in protest against police

Villagers slammed police for releasing two men accused of murder .

FAISALABAD:

Over 60 people protested against police in two demonstrations on Wednesday.

Residents of Chak 266-RB staged a protest demonstration against Khurarianwala police for releasing two men suspected of murder.

The protestors staged a sit-in in front of the city government secretariat.

The protestors, mostly women, also blocked University Road for traffic.

Rana Riasat, one of the protestors, told newsmen that his brother Rana Pervaiz Iqbal was shot and killed by Akram and Ejaz.

He said Khurarianwala police had registered an FIR under Section 302 of Pakistan Penal Code and had arrested the accused.

He said a week later, Khurrianwala DSP Mian Akmal, SHO Rana Khalid and Investigation Officer Muhammad Siddique declared Akram and Ejaz innocent and let them go.

The protestors said the men should be re-arrested and prosecuted.

DCO Noorul Amin Mengal, Civil Lines station house officer(SHO) and Rail Bazaar SHO visited the scene and negotiated with the protestors.

The DCO assured them that the case would be investigated on merit.

On this assurance, the protestors dispersed.

Separately, over three dozen women of Khurarianwala protested against the police for not arresting a man accused of abducting a teenage girl.

The protestors gathered at Zila Council Chowk and blocked it for traffic.

Fouzia Begum, a protestor, told newsmen that a 16-year-old girl, a resident of Chak 215-RB, was kidnapped for ransom on May 23.

She said Khurarianwala police had registered an FIR and had arrested two men believed to be involved in the abduction.

She said week later, the men were released.

The protestors chanted slogans against the police and demanded re-arrest of the accused. A police team from Kotwali police station headed by the deputy superintendent police (DSP) reached the scene and negotiated with the protestors.

They assured them that the police would investigate and recover the girl and arrest those responsible.

On this assurance, the demonstrators called off their protest and dispersed peacefully.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2014.