Alleged police brutality : Father, son accuse policewoman of ordering assault

Inspector Noreen denies accusation, saying it was a family scuffle.

ABBOTABAD: Two people had to be hospitalised after two policemen physically assaulted them, allegedly on the orders of a woman police officer, who also happens to be the injured men’s relative, it was learnt on Friday.

The policewoman has denied the accusation and called it a “minor scuffle between family members.”

Afaq Khan, a resident of Dhamtor village, Abbottabad, told the police that on Thursday evening he was returning home in his vehicle and overtook a police mobile carrying Inspector Noreen.

He claimed the police mobile followed him home and Inspector Noreen ordered two junior officials to beat him.

According to Afaq, his uncle Pervez Khan and Pervez’s son Shehryar Khan attempted to help him but also fell victim to the police brutality.

Afaq added his cousin and uncle bore the brunt of the assault and had to be taken to Ayub Medical Complex where doctors confirmed the severity of their injuries.

Pervez and Shehryar lodged a complaint against Inspector Noreen and her juniors. However, the police told The Express Tribune on Friday that an FIR was not registered because both parties later struck a compromise.

Inspector Noreen said a scuffle took place between Pervez and Shehryar and their other relatives. She claimed at the time the fight took place she was on duty at the station.

Noreen confirmed she was related to the complainants. “The scuffle was an internal matter and has been settled by the family jirga. Both parties have struck a compromise,” she said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 19^th, 2014.