BAHAWALPUR: The Nowshehra Jadid police booked about 15 people, including eight nominated, for alleged murder of suspected thief Muhammad Abid (50), who according to area people had been allegedly tortured to death while he was in custody after he was handed over by a mob to the police officials.

A first information report was registered on the complaint of deceased Abid’s brother Muhammad Khalid under sections 302, 148 and 149 of Pakistan Penal Code.

The complainant while nominating eight people, including Hazoor Khan, Maqsood Khan, alleged that seven others tortured his brother Abid, who fell unconscious but later succumbed to his wounds.

On the other hand, police denied torture, alleging that his condition became critical due to severe thrashing by the mob and he succumbed to his injuries.

Police said an inquiry against the respective officials is under way while the station house officer has been transferred.

SECURITY: South Punjab Additional Inspector General (AIG) Police Maqsoodul Hassan has directed the local police to take special measures for the security of Chinese engineers and other foreigners working in the district.

Presiding over a crime meeting with RPO Rai Babar Saeed and DPO Syed Muhammad Abbas here, he directed to arrest the proclaimed offenders and carry out security audit of police buildings, bazaars and worship places in the district. The AIG also visited the police Shuhda monument at district police lines and laid a floral wreath there. Earlier, both the RPO and DPO briefed the AIG about the crime situation in the area.

RALLY: The Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) on Saturday organised a rally to condemn Israeli forces for the desecration of Masjid Al Aqsa.

The rally, led by south Punjab JI naib emir Zeeshan Akhtar paraded main road from JI office to Farid Gate. The participants holding banners and placards condemned the onslaught of the Israeli forces.

Published in Dawn, April 9th, 2023