RAWALPINDI, Jan 1: A trainee assistant sub-inspector at Police College Sihala died of suspected measles, on Tuesday. The death sparked unrest among his colleagues, who staged a protest in the college and demanded an inquiry into what they claimed was ‘denied medical leave’.

While after the trainee’s death, the college management has suddenly woken up to the seriousness of measles. Another under training ASI, Mohammad Shabir, who was also complaining of measles, has been shifted to Polyclinic Islamabad on Tuesday.

Commandant Police College, Zahid Rasool, when contacted, said Hassan Askari who belonged to Okara had been undergoing training at the college since last March and had complained of fever last week.

Mr Rasool said Hassan was referred to the college’s doctor who advised him (Hassan) to visit District Headquarters Hospital as he suspected that he was suffering from measles.

“However the real cause of death can only be ascertained after the death certificate is received,” the commandant said.

However, according to an official not wanting to be named, Hassan had asked the college management to grant him leave which was denied.

After his condition deteriorated, he was shifted to Polyclinic where he died on Tuesday.

After the death of Hassan Askari, another under-training ASI Shabir was granted leave on Tuesday due to his condition.

The commandant said Hassan Askari filed application on December 31 for a seven day leave. He claimed that the ASI was granted the leave on Tuesday.

When asked whether he had ordered an inquiry into the allegations levelled by his colleagues, that the trainee was denied leave, he said: “Yes, I will launch an inquiry and take action against those responsible.”

He said that when the training course started in March, 2012, all candidates had passed their medical tests.

Hassan Askari was on a one-year training programme at the college, which was to be completed on March 18, 2013.