LAHORE, April 18: The chief minister on Friday directed the Punjab police to immediately arrest the three policemen who allegedly helped a murderer escape from custody.

Shahdara police SHO Sub-Inspector Munawar Husain and constables Shakil Ahmad and Ehsanullah had been booked on charges of irresponsible and non-professional policing. Due to their negligence, an alleged robber, Riaz, who had killed a woman and injured her husband and son a couple of days ago, escaped from police custody.

The CM issued the directive on the recommendations of a report of a monitoring cell set up at his secretariat. The cell recorded several eyewitnesses accounts, the brother of the killed woman, Arif Mahmood, MPA Samiuallah Khan and two councillors, Saeed Iqbal and Shabbir Ahmad.

The report suggested the police authorities to ensure that the policemen would not use their influence in investigation of their case. The CM directed additional secretary to monitor the case until decided by a court of law and to help the victim family to get justice.

Besides, the CM also directed the Punjab police to arrest the escaped accused within a week and try him in the anti-terrorism court.