BAHAWALPUR:
Over 200 people protested against police on Friday for failing to curb liquor sales in the city.
Muhammad Irfan, a resident of Kundani, near Rahim Yar Khan said his neighbour Shahzad, Mujahid, Abdul Razzaq and Mujtaba had consumed liquor on Eid and fell ill.
He said Shahzad had later died at a hospital on Wednesday. He said the condition of his friends was also serious.
He said seven people had died last week after consuming spiked liquor.
Irfan said the police had registered an FIR against seven liquor dealers on the complaint of families of the deceased but a week had passed since then and Liaquatpur deputy superintendent had taken no action to arrest the dealers.
The protestors gathered at Chowk Allahabad, burnt tyres and chanted slogans against Liaquatpur Station House Officer Nasir Saqib Siyal.
They blocked a road for traffic and staged a sit-in.
former Anjuman-i-Tajraan president Haji Muhammad Yameen and Cotton Ginners Association General Secretary Chaudhry Waqar Ahmad called DSP Rao Jamshed.
He reached the spot and spoke with the protestors, assuring them that action would be taken against those found guilty. The protestors then dispersed peacefully.
Rahim Yar Khan district police officer took notice of the protest and launched a crackdown against drug dealers.
So far, the police have arrested one Muhammad Asif and seized 20 litres liquor from him.
They also arrested Nawaz and seized 18 litres liquor from him; Sarfraz was arrested with 25 litres liquor on him; Sajid with 25 litres liquor; Akmal with 50 litres liquor; Saeed with 20 litres and Yaseen with 20 litres liquor.
Tanveer Hussain was arrested and 116 grams opium was seized from him.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 2nd, 2014.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ