Police torture: victim`s kin take to the street

LAHORE, April 28: The family of the 30-year-old man, who died due to alleged torture in police custody on Wednesday, protested outside Jinnah Hospital's morgue on Thursday. It demanded strict action against the police officials responsible for his death. More than two dozen protesters reached the city from Okara, gathered at the hospital and chanted slogans against the police for, what they claimed, killing Ziaullah during investigation. A number of policemen were deployed outside the morgue to tackle the protesters. A police official said the body was handed over to the family after postmortem examination which was carried out by a medical board of Mian Munshi Hospital. He said the family took the body to the native town in the company of the police to avoid law and order situation. Sources said it was found during the autopsy that the victim had torture marks on different body parts, including face. The victim also bore marks of handcuffs and fetters on the wrists and feet. They said the police initially submitted the body without identification to save their skin. Sources further said a detailed postmortem report would be released after a few days as samples of internal body organs had been sent for chemical examination to ascertain real factors behind the death. According to the FIR lodged by Ziaullah's brother Riaz, Green Town SHO Muhammad Afzal, the Green Town Industrial Area chowki in-charge and six constables have been booked on the murder charge. An investigation official claimed only two constables were in police custody while others were at large. He said Ziaullah, who was also arrested in connection with a robbery-murder in the past, was indicted by court but was acquitted because of rapprochement with the complainant. He said Zia was also wanted by the Punjab police in two other cases. Saddar SP Investigation Hasan Sukhaira, when contacted, said the investigation into the incident had begun but any proper action against the officials would be subject to the final outcome of autopsy. He said information was being gathered about the date and time of the arrest of Ziaullah and his detention place. Riaz told reporters that Ziaullah had come to attend the marriage ceremony of his friend at Baagrian when a police team arrested him and used third-degree methods during 'illegal' detention. He alleged that the policemen moved roller on the legs of Ziaullah, which caused the failure of his both kidneys. Chuhng Police Training School Commandant DIG Mubashirullah, who was appointed as inquiry officer to investigate the case on the orders of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, told Dawn he had yet to initiate probe because of non-cooperation by the Green Town circle police. He said he had to visit the Green Town police station on Thursday night for which he had already intimated the DSP concerned and (accused) SHO Muhammad Afzal but dropped the plan after receiving information that no one was present at the police station.He said although he had been directed by the IGP to complete the inquiry by Friday evening, it would be difficult as the SHO and other accused in the case had already absconded.