LAHORE: The Pakistan Railways police administration has constituted a three-member joint investigation team (JIT) to probe into a brawl between a conductor guard and a constable over recording/filming receipt of money (bribe) allegedly by the guard in a moving Allama Iqbal Express.

On the other hand, the police admin has temporarily removed the constable from train patrolling duty so as to ensure his presence before the committee whereas the train guard has strongly protested against the constable for physically assaulting him stating that he would hold senior police and railway admin officials responsible if anything bad happened to him.

According to a notification issued by PR Police SP Iftikhar Ahmad, constable Zulfiqar Ali (C/33) made videos twice, revealing corruption allegedly on the part of guard and porter. After knowing this, the guard forced the constable to delete videos that led to a quarrel between them.

“As reported by SHO (Railway Police Khanewal), constable Zulfiqar Ali made a video on Aug 8, 2024, in which guard Tariq of Lahore was collecting money from a porter Rafique at Railway Station Pattoki. On Aug 12, the constable again made a video of guard Tariq while he was engaged in dealing with railway passengers in Allama Iqbal Express,” reads the notification.

It states that on demand, the constable refused to delete the videos to which the guard came into rage and started abusing and manhandling him. As the matter is of serious nature and requires a probe thoroughly by a team of police officers, hence a joint investigation team comprising Ms Samina Yasmin (DSP), Tariq Nazir (Assistant Transportation Officer), Rehmat Ali (SHO) and Ali Hassan (ASI) is hereby constituted.

“The JIT will conduct an inquiry purely on merit and submit the report within five days,” it says.

On the other hand, reports say the police constable thrashed the guard. On this, the guard reportedly felt pain that led to calling the rescue team (1122) at Khanewal station by the train staff. After giving the guard first aid, he resumed the duty. “I was on duty in Allama Iqbal Express. During the journey, the constable came to me and demanded giving seats and berths. On refusal, the constable came to the dining car and manhandled me,” guard Tariq alleged in a video message. “While I was not feeling well, I was taken to hospital in Khanewal. The PR police IG, GM railway must take action against the constable and give me justice,” he said.

LWMC: With a view to paying tribute, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) dedicated clean-up operation on Monday in the name of Arshad Nadeem. Liberty Chowk was adorned with congratulatory banners and Pakistani flags to celebrate Arshad Nadeem’s achievement. A large group of LWMC workers also took part in a walk to celebrate Nadeem’s achievement.

SEALED: Various teams of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) on Monday sealed as many as 40 properties on account of non-payment of commercialisation fee. The sealing operations were carried out by the teams in Gulshan-i-Ravi and Shadman, according to a spokesman.

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2024