10 cops jailed after suspects escape from custody

Among them were an SHO and a head constable, who were accused of negligence

SUKKUR:

Ten police officials, including a SHO and a head constable, were suspended and sent behind bars on charges of negligence after two criminals escaped from the lockup of C Section police station in Khairpur on Friday night.

On Friday evening, a large contingent from the police station arrested Abdul Ghani Phulpoto and Ali Bux alias Dado Phulpoto on a tip-off. According to reports, three hours after the arrest, both the criminals managed to escape from the lockup despite the presence of police staff.

The newly-posted Khairpur SSP Nasir Aftab, taking notice of the incident, immediately suspended and jailed 10 police officials, including SHO Deedar Tanwri and Head Constable Akbar Narejo. Aftab also ordered the registration of an FIR against them, which was not lodged until the filing of this report. Aftab was not available for his comments.

Police sources asserted that both the arrested men were wanted for a number of heinous crimes, including murder, kidnapping for ransom and highway robbery. Other sources in the media claimed that the escaped criminals were given safe passage at the behest of influential people within the district, who are also pressing senior police officials not to take any action against the policemen responsible.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 5^th, 2014.