Taken away: Family protests abduction, killing of lady health worker

Najma and her sister Shabnam had been abducted a few days ago. Shabnam is still missing, family says

FAISALABAD: The family of a lady heath worker who was abducted and killed in Shorkot area staged a demonstration against police for failing to find her on time and demanded immediate arrest of those responsible.

The protesters gathered in front of the Shorkot THQ Hospital and blocked the Jhang-Multan Road for traffic by placing the body in the middle of the road.

Talking to newsmen, Allah Ditta said Najma Mai and her sister Shabnam Mai had been abducted few days ago.

He said a missing person complaint had been registered with Shorkot police by Saban Bibi, their mother. He said police had formed a team to find the women it made no headway in their recovery.  He said Najma’s body found was near Sadhnai Link near Abdul Hakeem Canal on Sunday evening. He said Najma had been a health worker. He said the body was taken to a hospital for post mortem examination.

He said Shabnam was still missing. He said it was feared that the abductors might killer her too. The protesters chanted slogans against police, condemning them for failing to recover the sisters. They said steps should be taken to Shabnam’s immediate recovery.

On being informed, a team from Shorkot police station met the protesters and assured them that those involved in the abduction and killing would be arrested soon and taken to task in accordance with law.

Talking to The Express Tribune, Sub Inspector Rajab Ali said Shabnam, a resident of Jalalpur Kamlana, had married a retired sub inspector, Muhammad Yar. He said the couple had three children. He said Yar later divorced her.

“Later, Muhammad Yar obtained a fatwa and told Shabnam to live with him but she refused,” he said.  He said police had registered an abduction case against Muhammad Yar, his son Khalid Mehmood and three unnamed accomplices. He said investigation in this regard was underway. He said sections on murder had now been added to the original complaint.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 26^th, 2015.