In custody : Prisoner dies at hospital

Masood was said to be suffering from cholera and his treatment was delayed by the Khyber political administration.

LANDI KOTAL: A tribesman arrested over a property dispute died at a hospital while in the custody of the Khyber Agency political administration. Locals protested against his death at a market in Landikotal on Tuesday. “Masood, a resident of Mirdad Khel in Landikotal, was suffering from cholera. Other prisoners in the lock-up asked the political administration to take him to the hospital but they refused,” a local protesting Masood’s death told The Express Tribune. “However, on Tuesday, when his condition was deteriorating, the prisoners raised a hue and cry, after which he was taken to the hospital.” 

The protesters quoted doctors at the hospital in Landikotal as saying Masood’s condition was critical and severe dehydration had caused the current state. Masood ultimately died at the hospital. The protesters, including his father Akhtar Amin, accused the political administration of causing the tribesman’s death.

Amir said his son was not a militant and was in the custody of the political administration over a minor dispute. “Why did the administration treat him this way?” the grieving father said. The protesters urged the government investigate the matter and transfer the political tehsildar and assistant political agent from the area.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 2^nd,  2015.