Mysterious circumstances: Locals up in arms over custodial death

Say police torture led to a suspect’s death; law enforcers deny allegations

DI KHAN: A large number of locals blocked Rangpur-Paharpur Road on Friday for a second day to protest against the death of a suspect in police custody.

Protesters said 35-year-old Muhammad Hanif died on Thursday due to police torture and demanded an FIR against Paharpur SHO Zulfiqar Baloch.

A day earlier, the SHO, along with six policemen, raided a gathering in Paharpur area. They arrested six people, including Hanif, for gambling.

Hanif later died in police custody and his relatives claim that torture from the law-enforcement officials was responsible for his untimely demise, and even refused to take his body.

For the second day in a row on Friday, led by newly-elected councillor Shadi Khan, locals blocked Rangpur-Paharpur Road and chanted slogans against the police. They demanded senior officials take immediate notice of this incident.

They alleged Hanif died as a result of the police’s actions, saying he was also subjected to brutality at the time of his arrest.

SHO Baloch confirmed Muhammad Hanif’s death, saying the suspect was a heart patient and died near Rehla area in a police mobile while on the way to Paharpur police station.

Police officials said cases had been registered against the other five suspects for gambling. They included Muhammad Iqbal, Kafyatullah, Nematullah, Aslam and Attaullah.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2015.